Following the recent escalation of trade tensions between China and the United States, which is likely to exacerbate the erosion of agricultural export markets and lead to further lower commodity prices.

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) is expected to announce a trade assistance package to support farmer families and ranchers.

In a letter to the US Secretary of Agriculture, Sonny Purdue, the National Farmers Union (NFU), representing 200,000 family farmers, ranchers and rural people across the country, advised on how best to “put together a package that adequately covers broad, long-term consequences for all of American agriculture. ”

NFU President Roger Johnson said: “Family farmers and ranchers received a major blow in the trade war with China, which deliberately targets retaliatory tariffs on US agricultural products. We appreciate the administration’s recent efforts to alleviate the tremendous economic pressure that agriculture is experiencing as a result of the trade war. Although Chinese tariffs specifically targeted soybeans, pork, and sorghum, many other crops were affected both directly and indirectly. We ask for trade assistance to producers of all affected crops. ”

In addition, Roger Johnson said that “one cannot underestimate the constantly aggravating financial problems faced by family farmers and ranchers. We urge the USDA to ensure that this assistance package provides fair and equal assistance to all family farmers affected by disruptions in international markets. ”