Perdue: I Want To Have Plan In Place By Labor Day

Each day this ticks by is one more day that American agricultural products face tariffs when shipped to destinations such as Mexico and China.  Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue said President Trump understands that farmers are anxious during this dispute, and that there’s going to be short-term discomfort.  Perdue recently said he understands that fruit and vegetable growers are feeling the pinch right now, as we march through the heart of harvest season for a variety of commodities.

“I’ve kind of set a deadline for myself, not for anyone else, of Labor Day.  If we can’t have some resolution on trade by Labor Day, then we need to look at mitigation procedures and protections for ag producers that really have a negative impact of trade on their bottom line.”

Perdue noted many of those farmers impacted by trade face the reality of moving from profitable to unprofitable.  He added the USDA is working on a plan to help prevent farmers from going under at the hands of these elevated trade levels.

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