Foreign investors in agriculture say U.S. tariffs could wipe them out—and they may test America in global court

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to the media while signing executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House on September 05, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Credit: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

• Foreign investors may bring tariff-related claims to arbitration, arguing U.S. tariffs may be in violation of some international investment treaties, experts tell Fortune. The claims have never succeeded against the U.S., but tariffs are ‘effectively destroying’ some agricultural businesses, they say.

Foreign investors with business in the agriculture sector are considering bringing claims against the U.S. government as some believe tariffs have violated international investment treaties that promise them fair treatment.