US Dept. of Agriculture Officials Discuss Details of $12-Billion Plan to Help Producers

The US Agriculture Department is announcing a $12 billion "short-term" plan to help US farmers hurt by retaliatory tariffs. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue says the plan will help a broad number of farmers deal with the cost of "disruptive markets" as US trading partners have retaliated for President Donald Trump's tariffs on imported goods. Sec. Perdue was joined by other USDA officials today (July 24, 2018) to discuss details of the plan.

Agriculture officials say the plan will not require congressional approval. It involves direct payments to farmers, the purchase of excess food and trade promotion programs to help create new export markets. Trump said separately during a speech in Kansas City that "farmers will be the biggest beneficiary" of his trade agenda as he seeks better trade agreements.