Trump's Emergency Aid for Farmers in Context

The U.S. trade war has taken a domestic turn. President Trump, doubling down on his protectionist efforts, has announced a $12 billion emergency aid package to U.S. farmers to blunt any economic or political damage from his tariff policies.

These efforts come in the lead up to a presidential visit to Iowa-- a key primary state known for its soybean production and corn -- and a meeting with Jean-Claude Juncker, the European Commission president where the two leaders are scheduled to discuss trade.

The United States oilseed and grain trade in 2017 totaled $13.7 billion with China alone, comparable to the $12 billion coming from the Department of Agricultural. State representatives from localities where manufacturing and energy production are prominent now are asking where their aid relief is.