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Perdue’s take on China

U.S. Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue discussed trade negotiations with China, during his visit to the Farm Progress Show Wednesday.

“I think really the story is we’re trying to lower expectations,” Perdue said. “But I think the good news is that we’re doing it at the foundational level of minister-to-minister right now, and not upper level. Kind of laying that groundwork of where we agree and where we don’t agree.”

Perdue says that ground-level approach will be beneficial in moving talks towards a positive outcome for both nations.

“I believe it’s going to take the president and President Xi of China to close the deal and make the announcement. I believe there is still good work going on.”

Perdue also defended the penny per bushel payment to corn growers as part of the administration’s farm aid package.  He said the calculations are based on actual tariff disruption damage to the crop and the damage to corn “has been minimal”.

The National Corn Growers Association disagrees, saying prices have declined about 44 cents a bushel since the trade disputes began.