Trump Seeks to Sell Shutdown, Trade Policies to Farmers

Agriculture (USDA)China Federal Agency/Executive Branch Opinions Policy White House

January 15, 2019

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by Jonathan Lemire (Associated Press/Washington Post) President Donald Trump urged farmers Monday to stick with him even as many grapple with the impact of his trade war with China and the partial government shutdown.

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Trump said the wall was needed to cut down on illegal immigration, even though border crossings have fallen in recent years, and he said that it would lead to immigration reform that would help farmers get the workers they need for their fields.

“You need people to help you with the farms,” Trump said. “It’s going to be easier for them to get in.”

Despite Trump’s assurances, many farmers are feeling the pinch from his policies.

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Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue last week extended the deadline for growers hurt by Trump’s trade war with China to apply for federal aid meant to offset their losses. But some farmers will still have to wait until after the government reopens to see their checks.

In addition, the Farm Service Agency, which distributes loans to farmers, has been shuttered since the first week of the shutdown.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, in a statement, said Trump could help by signing a bipartisan bill passed by her Democratic-controlled House to reopen the Agriculture Department “instead of wasting farmers’ time with empty words.”

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But some farmers attending the convention said they continue to support Trump despite any difficulty they’re feeling.

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Retaliatory tariffs put in place by Beijing have slammed American farmers, many of whom were Trump supporters, and a federal government bailout to the industry has had limited impact. READ MORE

Trump promised Midwest farmers year-round E15 fuel this summer. The government shutdown could put that in danger (Omaha World-Herald)

Trump's tone-deaf appeal to farmers hurting from trade war: 'Greatest harvest is yet to come' ()ETS GRASPING FOR INFO DURING SHUTDOWN (Brownfield Ag News)

Trade war shifts feed for U.S. hogs away from ethanol byproduct (Reuters)

Already reeling from tariff war, some farmers aren’t receiving government support checks amid shutdown (Washington Post) VIDEO

Farmers feeling the impact of the shutdown (CNN)

Soybean farmer can't get subsidy check due to shutdown (CNN)

Government shutdown impacting American farmers (MSNBC)

US shutdown: 'I don't need a wall, I want money to plant crops' (BBC)

US ethanol offers and bids emerge in China, amid optimism on trade talks (S&P Global)

Government shutdown stalls new E-15 rules (Siouxland Proud)

Trump's Pet Projects Thrive During Shutdown While Others Falter (Bloomberg)

USDA Finds Way to Reopen FSA: Beginning Thursday, FSA Offices Will Reopen Full Time, Restore More Services (DTN The Progressive Farmer)

Trump trade policy: Playing a game of chicken with American agriculture (The Hill)

Listen: US shutdown threatens Trump’s ethanol promise (S&P Global Platts; AUDIO with US Senator Mike Rounds, R-SD)

In Iowa, Trump’s ‘Long Rope’ With Farmers Is Starting to Run Out (Bloomberg)

Trump upbeat on China trade talks but wants more access for U.S. firms (Reuters)

Trade is top issue for Iowa Agriculture (The Gazette)

Letter to the Editor: Farmers depend on Renewable Fuel Standard (Effingham Daily News)

Excerpt from S&P Global: There was an offer heard on Tuesday (January 22, 2019) for US origin denatured ethanol at $510/mt CFR China for a 35,000 mt cargo for prompt shipment, with a bid at $450-460/mt CFR China, after little or no trading activity for fuel ethanol between the two countries since July, when the 70% import duty for US denatured ethanol came into effect in China. READ MORE

Excerpt from DTN The Progressive Farmer: In an announcement Tuesday (January 22, 2019), Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue said USDA will temporarily recall more than 9,700 FSA employees to operate offices. FSA employees are not receiving pay, but USDA noted, "President Trump has already signed legislation that guarantees employees will receive all back pay missed during the lapse in funding."

USDA stated that, for now, FSA offices will be open Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at least for the weeks of Jan. 28-Feb. 1 and Feb 4-8. Afterward, if USDA has not received its authorized funding through congressional appropriation, FSA will keep its offices open three days a week, Tuesday through Thursday.

Despite FSA offices being shut down since Dec. 28, USDA stated the White House Office of Management and Budget and USDA "reviewed all of its funding accounts that are not impacted by a lapse in appropriation." With that, USDA determined it was able to except more employees from furlough and provide services for mandatory, multiyear and no-year discretionary programs, including 2018 farm bill programs. READ MORE