The Trump administration announced in July that it would create a one-time aid package worth as much as $12 billion to tide farmers over while the trade wars drag on. “This is a temporary measure to help farmers in the meantime who’ve been affected by the trade disruption,” Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue said. The program will be ready in September, according to the USDA, and farmers will learn how to apply for the aid this month. The agency said it will use its authority under the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act to pay farmers directly and to buy surplus crops. The awkward thing about the USDA’s announcement is that six years ago, Congress disallowed the Obama administration from wielding the law in similar fashion.

Source: Huffington Post August 17, 2018 20:37 UTC