increase font size
The US Government is rolling out US$12 billion worth of aid to farmers caught up in trade wars, triggered by President Donald Trump.
The US plans to provide subsidies to farmers and buy unsold crops, among other measures; farmers of commodities like soybeans, sorghum and wheat will receive most of the aid.
Trump had promised the aid after fierce criticism from farmers, an important part of his support base. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimates the trade war is costing US farmers about US$11 billion.
US Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue yesterday announced that the USDA will take several actions to assist farmers in response to trade damage from “unjustified retaliation”.
“Specifically, USDA will authorise up to US$12 billion in programs, which is in line with the estimated US$11 billion impact of the unjustified retaliatory tariffs on US agricultural goods. These programs will assist agricultural producers to meet the costs of disrupted markets.
“This is a short-term solution to allow President Trump time to work on long-term trade deals to benefit agriculture and the entire U.S. economy,” Perdue says.
He says the President promised to “have the back of every American farmer and rancher, and he knows the importance of keeping our rural economy strong”.
The first assistance is expected to be distributed by the beginning of September.
OPINION: After seven years of Adrian Orr’s antics as Reserve Bank NZ governor, the priority of his successor, Anna Breman, surely is rebuilding the tarnished reputation of the RBNZ, not stepping on the Foreign Minister’s toes by commenting on US domestic politics.
President Donald Trump’s decision to impose tariffs on imports into the US is doing good things for global trade, according to Agriculture and Trade Minister Todd McClay.
New Zealand's dairy industry is right to call out Donald Trump over the damage the additional 15% tariff the US is imposing on our exports but also imposition on lower tariffs on our competitors.
Donald Trump's uncompromising tariff policy is set to put New Zealand dairy exports to the US under huge pressure.
OPINION: Nothing it seems can be done in the short term to get Donald Trump to change his mind about removing the unfair 15% tariffs that he’s imposed on New Zealand exports to the US.
While things are looking positive for the red meat sector in 2026, volatility in global trade remains a concern, says the Meat Industry Association (MIA).
The quest to find innovative practical, scientific solutions to deal with water-related issues at a catchment level has been the theme of an important conference at Massey University last week.
One of the country's top Māori farms faces a long and costly rebuild to get the property back to where it was before recent storms ripped through it.
The latest Global Dairy Trade auction results have delivered a boost to dairy farmers.
New Zealand potato growers are prioritising value creation from high yields to meet a complex mix of challenges and opportunities, says Potatoes NZ chief executive Kate Trufitt.
A Hawke's Bay apple orchardist supports the Government's objective of doubling exports but says this won't happen in the horticulture sector unless there's a change in the process for bringing new plant material into the country.
OPINION: First on the scene after the recent devastating storms in parts of the North Island were emergency services and selfless…
OPINION: Why can't Christopher Luxon stand up to Winston Peters over the latter’s high-profile attack on the proposed Indian FTA?
