In July, the administration announced that it would deliver $12 billion in aid to farmers caught in the cross-hairs of President Donald Trump’s trade spat with China. The world’s second-biggest economy slapped tariffs on U.S. shipments of soybeans and pork, among other commodities. Farmers were able to apply for the first round of aid, totaling $4.7 billion, last month. Perdue, speaking to farmers and reporters in a farm shed in Champaign, Illinois, on Wednesday didn’t disclose a specific date for the second round of funding.
Perdue didn’t offer an estimate for how much longer the trade war could continue, saying the onus is on China.
Farmers are a key part of Trump’s rural base. Earlier this month, the constituency applauded his plan to start allowing the year-round sale of higher concentrations of corn-based ethanol infused gasoline, known as E15.
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