Some in the US farm industry are alarmed by Trump's embrace of RFK Jr. and tariffs

Former Republican presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump shake hands during a campaign rally at Desert Diamond Arena on August 23, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. Kennedy announced today that he was suspending his presidential campaign and supporting former President Trump. (Photo by Rebecca Noble/Getty Images)

President-elect Donald Trump won farm country by wide margins in this month’s election, with rural voters helping fuel his return to the White House.

But some farmers, economists, analysts and others in the agriculture industry are voicing alarm over Trump plans that could disrupt America’s $1.5 trillion food industry.

Trump moved this past week to put Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in charge of the Department of Health and Human Services, which includes the Food and Drug Administration. A nomination requires confirmation by the U.S. Senate.