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White House says trade assistance payments are being considered

The White House says President Trump is weighing potential aid for U.S. ag producers impacted by trade conflicts with China. 

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Tuesday that the President supports farmers and ranchers. “Relief is being considered. The Secretary of Agriculture has spoken with the President about that and again, it’s being considered.”

In a social media post, the President said producers are put on the front line against other countries like China anytime there is a trade negotiation, or in this case, a trade war.

Ag producers received $16 billion in trade assistance payments during the President’s first term.

Nebraska farmer Mike Bergen says he’s not a big supporter of ad-hoc assistance payments. “But, sometimes they are a reality. We’re not going to turn them down. (We’re) not looking for a handout. We’re looking for more of a level playing field and open markets.

Kansas producer Rick Schlender tells Brownfield he hopes tensions with China can improve quickly. “I just pray that it will be short lived. We’ve been in a trade deficit for several years, and if that keeps going on that’s going to hurt our economy.”

The Administration hasn’t clarified when or if producers will be compensated for trade disruptions.