Trump officials delayed farm trade report over deficit forecast

Administration officials blocked publication of written analysis that normally accompanies the report because they disliked what it said about the deficit.


A USDA spokesperson blamed the delay on an internal review. | Jose Luis Magana/AP

By MARCIA BROWN
06/04/2025 05:55 AM EDT

Trump administration officials delayed and redacted a government forecast because it predicts an increase in the nation’s trade deficit in farm goods later this year, according to two people familiar with the matter.

The numbers run counter to President Donald Trump’s messaging that his economic policies, including tariffs, will reduce U.S. trade imbalances. The politically inconvenient data prompted administration officials to block publication of the written analysis normally attached to the report because they disliked what it said about the deficit.

The published report, released Monday but dated May 29, includes numbers that are unchanged from how they would’ve read in the unredacted report, said the people, who were granted anonymity to discuss internal decision-making.

Policymakers, farm groups and commodities traders rely on the closely watched report, which the Agriculture Department issues quarterly, for its analysis of imports and exports of major farm commodities including cotton and livestock. The highly unusual rollout could raise questions about potential political meddling with government reports that have traditionally been trusted for decades.

“Objectivity is really key here and the public depends on it,” said Joe Glauber, a former USDA chief economist. “To lose that trust would be terrible.” … A USDA spokesperson blamed the delay on an internal review.

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Quarterly Agricultural Trade Forecast

June 2, 2025 | Quarterly Agricultural Trade Forecast
Contact: Hui Jiang

Link to report: Quarterly Agricultural Trade Forecast