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Perdue: too soon to say what tools will be used to help farmers impacted by tariffs

Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue says it’s too early to say what tools will be used to help farmers impacted by tariffs.

“You can’t demonstrate any damage on the day that tariffs are announced and we’re going to look at this very carefully,” he says.

China retaliated with 25% tariffs in response to President Trump’s additional tariffs on Friday.

Perdue says that there are tools available, including payments through the Commodity Credit Corporation, but the administration must first determine the market impact of tariffs.

“When we can determine and if we determine there is legitimate and lasting market impact based on market disruptions of tariffs and retaliation then we are prepared to take action,” he says.

Perdue spoke with reporters after meeting with his Canadian counterpart Lawrence MacAulay on Friday.