U.S. farmers have been devastated by erratic weather patterns and an ongoing trade war with China, one of the largest U.S. agriculture importers in the world. The federal government is putting together an aid program to help farmers. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced Thursday details of the $16 billion package aimed at supporting American agricultural producers while President Donald Trump’s administration continues to negotiate.

In May, Trump directed Secretary Perdue to craft a relief strategy in line with the estimated impacts of retaliatory tariffs on U.S. agricultural goods and other trade disruptions. The Market Facilitation Program (MFP), Food Purchase and Distribution Program (FPDP) and Agricultural Trade Promotion Program (ATP) will assist agricultural producers while President Trump works to address long-standing market access barriers.      MORE