US tariffs are being used to procure Swiss cheese produced by American farmers under a special provision to absorb surplus production and protect rural jobs. On February 19, United States Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) intention to purchase up to $263 million (CHF208 million) in dairy and other agricultural products from American farmers. The produce is destined for food banks for the needy or school lunches for underprivileged children, but the main intended beneficiaries are American farmers. “By turning harvests into meals, we are not only stabilising farm income and protecting rural jobs – we are nourishing our nation and supporting the farmers who feed America. Under President Trump’s leadership, these investments strengthen the food supply, sustain rural communities, and reinforce agriculture as a cornerstone of economic resilience,” said Rollins in a press release. Tucked away on the USDA food shopping list is ...
