Trump administration officials kept the report out of the news because it projected a record agricultural trade deficit, contradicting the president’s messaging on tariffs and trade policy, said Politico.
The quarterly report revised the U.S. farm trade deficit for fiscal 2025 to $49.5 billion, smashing past the previous record of $31.8 billion.
While the data remained intact, the written analysis that typically accompanies the report was withheld. The USDA cited an internal review process as the reason for the delay.
While tariffs are a factor in the widening deficit, analysts said strong consumer demand for foreign goods such as wine, coffee and blueberries, along with a strong dollar, are also contributing factors.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has defended the tariffs and is leading a trade delegation to Italy this week, with more planned to promote U.S. farm exports.
