WASHINGTON —  U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue said farmers and ranchers are resolved to make short-term financial sacrifices to ensure broader economic gains as the Trump administration works out trade disputes with global allies.

• Trade war impacting agriculture products

• Government aid promised to farmers to absorb retaliatory tariffs 

President Donald Trump’s trade war is a threat to farmers across the country, with producers being targeted by retaliatory tariffs imposed by four of the United States’ five biggest export markets: the European Union, Canada, China and Mexico.

The Department of Agriculture pledged to provide farmers with billions of dollars in aid to mitigate the impact of retaliatory tariffs, a package Perdue said will help soften the blow of recent duties.

Since April, levies Trump has placed on goods from several trading partners have sparked counter tariffs, targeting American farm goods including pork, cheese and soybeans.

“He knew that because of the productivity of our American farmers and ranchers that they would be at the tip of the spear if China chose to retaliate. He understands the stress that farmers are under,” said Perdue.

Despite the impact of the president’s trade maneuvers, a number of farmers remain supportive of the administration’s goals, including shrinking the U.S. trade deficit and following through on what they see as unfair trade practices by China, according to Perdue.

“Farmers amazingly understand the president’s motive here. They understand some of our trading partners haven’t played by the rules,” he said.

Perdue spoke with Spectrum News about the ongoing trade disputes, as well as the farm bill under consideration by Congress.