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Perdue says retaliation from tariffs could hurt ag

Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue says he hopes that President Trump will consider tariff exemptions for other countries to avoid retaliation from tariffs on steel and aluminum.

“I’m hoping that the exemptions the president has issued over steel and aluminum can be done on a country by country basis,” he says. “I think he has said he is willing to talk to any countries so I hope they come and make their case.”

President Trump has said he would consider exemptions for “real friends” of the U.S.

Initial exemptions of tariffs have been granted to Canada and Mexico, but other countries have expressed concern.

The European Union released a list of items that would face retaliatory tariffs and China has repeatedly vowed to defend its interests if targeted by U.S. trade actions.

Perdue spoke to reporters at the National Grain and Feed Association’s annual convention in Arizona.

Audio provided by the USDA.