Posted on 07/24/2018 9:04:11 AM PDT by GIdget2004
The U.S. Agriculture Department on Tuesday plans to announce a $12 billion package of emergency aid for farmers caught in the midst of President Trump’s escalating trade war, two people briefed on the plan said, the latest sign that growing tensions between the United States and other countries will not end soon.
Trump ordered Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue to prepare a range of options several months ago, amid complaints from farmers that their products faced retaliatory tariffs from China and other countries. The new package of government assistance funds will be announced Tuesday and is expected to go into effect by Labor Day.
The aid package is expected to target soybean farmers, dairy farmers, and pork producers, among others. White House officials hope it will quiet some of the unease from farm groups, but the new plan could revive debates about taxpayer-funded bailouts and the degree to which Trump’s trade strategy is leading to unforeseen costs.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
NO!
Farmers. The most rock-ribbed, solid Patriotic Conservatives you will ever find.
Until you threaten their favorite subsidy. Then it’s katy-bar-the-door.
I know, I used to sell to them.
Aid to farmers...or the Agricultural Industrial Complex?
Or maybe a food stamps bailout for certain states?
The money they lose on foreign transactions will be more than made up for by increased domestic consumption. That’s axiomatic.
It would be nice to let market forces to allow me to purchase beef at the store at a cheaper price than is currently out there because of the surplus of supply . . . . . .
This is smart.
Look, the Chinese have been very strategic in picking out their trade war targets. China is targeting suppliers from regions and states with the most legislative impact. For example, Harley Davidson is very near Paul Ryan’s district. Much of the farm impact is in Wisconsin and other states with significant legislative pressure. The Chinese aren’t dumb.
Rather than having these politicians go wobbly, so we can prevail in this trade war, as we will, we have to buck up those hardest hit. Generally I do not support passing out taxpayer largess to certain groups, but in this case I totally support it as in the end this will more than pay off through creating fair trade agreements where the entire US is not ripped off.
Not likely.
For instance, the US and Canada do not eat the amount of Soy that we sell to China. Same with pork. It would be a series of VERY bad years.
Things will adjust, but they will be painful. Have this aid will be a short term shot at best, and will likely make things worse.
Full disclosure, I am farmers son.
Socialism on top of stupidity.
Just don’t say that with a mouth full of food.
So how much do ADM, Cargill, Dole, US Sugar, etc. get?
“It would be nice to let market forces to allow me to purchase beef at the store at a cheaper price than is currently out there because of the surplus of supply”
I think the Mortgage industry missed an opportunity by not putting up kiosks beside grocery store beef counters.
How can fair/free trade exist while some are standing upon subsidies?
The administration is using tax payer money to buy votes in red states going into the mid-terms.
Go down this path and every industry hurt by the trade war will come to Trump with their hand out. Twelve billion dollars will be a drop in the bucket.
You going to double your consumption of soybeans and pork chops?
Yes, I suppose that’s another way of putting it. But in context, again, I think this is the right thing to do or else we should just fold the tents on this whole trade issue.
The US has been getting shredded on trade policies since the end of WWII. It is time to forcibly correct those trade policies and if this is the price or cost involved in this trade war so be it. The long term benefit to the nation will be worth this cost.
How do you make an Iowa corn farmer cry?
Weld his mailbox shut. (Better take the pledge!)
Good question. Isn't one of the President's prime complaints about China is the way they subsidize their domestic producers?
China will be hurt far worse and much sooner than this. And, China will also have to contend with social unrest as their domestic industries are hit and their banking system is further strained.
We must stay the course. Our economy is very strong right now. Now is the perfect time to rebalance the trade.
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