U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue has announced details of actions the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture (USDA) will take to assist farmers in response to trade damage from retaliation by foreign nations. President Donald Trump directed Perdue to craft a short-term relief strategy to protect agricultural producers while the administration works on trade deals to help, in the long-term, American farmers compete globally. As announced in July, the USDA will authorize up to $12 billion in programs, consistent with the country’s World Trade Organization obligations.
The following programs will assist agricultural producers to meet the costs of disrupted markets:
In response to the announcement, American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall said, “The additional burden of tariffs on the goods we sell to China, Canada, Mexico, and the European Union has been more than many farmers can bear. Today’s aid announcement gives us some breathing room, but it will keep many of us going only a few months more.”
Some industry groups were a little more critical of the aid package. “NAWG [National Association of Wheat Growers] appreciates the administration’s steps to hold China accountable for unfair trade practices, but tariffs and the subsequent self-inflicted need to provide aid aren’t the answer. Farmers across the country want ‘trade, not aid’—especially wheat growers,” said NAWG President and Sentinel Jimmie Musick. “Farm income is down, and rural America is enduring a prolonged economic downturn. This relief package shows that the administration isn’t grasping the tough conditions being faced by farmers. The long-term solution is to end the trade war.”