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Perdue: Trump understands importance of ag trade

The Trump Administration’s “get tough” approach in dealing with China, Mexico and Canada continues to keep some farmers on edge. Those are the three top markets for U.S. agricultural goods.

At Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue’s Iowa tour stop Saturday, Brownfield asked Perdue if he has the president’s ear on the importance of ag exports.

“I have his ear as far as agriculture. I think that’s already been demonstrated with NAFTA,” Perdue said. “But the president has a wide array of important issues, the (trade) deficit being one of those—and he’s very concerned about that deficit.”

Perdue says Trump understands and appreciates the contribution ag exports make towards reducing the trade deficit.

“He knows agriculture’s contributing to the benefits there and he wants to do right by agriculture. But we don’t know what’s going to happen regarding other trading as we adjust NAFTA and look at other bilateral negotiations. We’re going to make them for the benefit of the American producer and American people.”

With the renegotiation of NAFTA set to begin next week, Perdue says his main principle on those discussions, from ag’s standpoint, is “Do no harm”.

AUDIO: Sonny Perdue responds to reporters’ questions during Iowa tour stop