The Department of Agriculture late Friday announced $100 million in trade promotion funding. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue says the funds were awarded to 48 organizations through the Agricultural Trade Program to help identify and build new export markets.
The program is part of the $16 billion trade aid package announced first in May, as an addition to previous Market Facilitation Program funds. USDA says the 48 recipients are among the organizations that applied for the $200 million in funds in 2018 that were awarded earlier this year. As part of a new round of support for farmers, the groups had the opportunity to be considered for additional support for their work to boost exports for U.S. agricultural products.
The funds are the administration’s effort to offset losses due to the tit-for-tat trade war with China and other trade negotiations. Secretary Perdue in the announcement says, China has not played by the rules, adding Trump’s trade agenda sends a clear message the U.S. will “no longer tolerate their unfair trade practices.”