(WASHINGTON D.C.) — The White House and congressional lawmakers have begun discussing a tariff relief package. The talks are starting as agricultural trade groups continue to warn elected officials about the economic repercussions of tariffs. “We’re setting up the infrastructure that if, in fact, we have some short-term economic consequences for our farmers and ranchers, we’ll have programs in place to help,” Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins told Fortune. She also told CNN that the administration will be prepared in case of ‘longer-term damage’ by lining up funds with lawmakers.
During a trade war in President Trump’s first term, U.S. farmers were hit hard, forcing the USDA to authorize $23 billion in assistance to crop, livestock, and fruit and vegetable producers. The ag secretary wouldn’t be specific about how much money the USDA might need to make farmers whole. “We’ve got the same team that built the first program under Sonny Perdue,” she added.
Also earlier this week, Ag Secretary Rollins predicted that some new deals could be reached on trade tariffs as soon as the end of this week. Rollins told Reuters that “I believe, sincerely, it’s going to be sooner rather than later,” Rollins said Tuesday. “I believe we’ll be hearing about new deals being struck, perhaps by the end of this week.” President Trump on Wednesday announced a 90 day pause on some tariffs while he increased the tariff on China to 125%.
