Rice Industry Leader Meryl Kennedy Farr Weighs In At Monday's Oval Office Visit

By Jake Westlin

USA Rice

WASHINGTON, DC – Monday afternoon, President Donald Trump and USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins announced the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program which will provide $11 billion to U.S. row crop farmers, including rice, as an economic bridge until next year’s One Big Beautiful Bill investments kick in through the Agricultural Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage Programs.

Former USA Rice Millers’ Association Chair and CEO of Louisiana-based Kennedy Rice Mill Meryl Kennedy Farr was selected to provide remarks as part of a Cabinet Room press conference.

Kennedy Farr told the President: “I wish I was here [in the White House] under better terms. I’ll tell you I think the rice industry thanks you sincerely for what you have done for the California rice market into Japan, it has been monumental for our industry. But us in the South are really struggling, it’s not just a crisis … and we do believe that countries are dumping rice into this country.”

She explained, “This has been happening for years. It didn’t start during your administration but unfortunately, we’re seeing [imports] in a much bigger way now. The tariffs are working, but we need to double down because they’re cheating. They’re subsidizing.”

Kennedy Farr committed to providing a full list of countries to the President that have been shipping over-subsidized rice into the United States in addition to India, Thailand, and China (via Puerto Rico).

President Trump responded by saying, “This could be solved so quickly with tariffs.” He also acknowledged the persistent issues with countries around the world trying to take advantage of U.S. producers and manufacturers.

Kennedy Farr wrapped by asking for “fair trade, not [just] free trade. We appreciate what you’ve done today and what you did with the Big Beautiful Bill.”

Details regarding eligibility and assistance per acre will be announced in the coming weeks and initial assistance is expected to be distributed beginning later this winter.