Trump Seeks New $15 Billion Subsidy To Protect Farmers From His Own Trade War
The president falsely claims that tariffs are paid “directly” to the U.S. Treasury by China and indicates these nonexistent Chinese funds will cover the subsidy cost.
President
Donald Trump is seeking an additional $15 billion in U.S. subsidies in an effort to protect
farmers from the devastating impact of his trade war with China. That’s on top of
$12 billion already earmarked for the farmers to help them weather the fallout.
That would be an additional bill for U.S. taxpayers already shouldering the cost of increased tariffs in the form of higher costs for products and parts from China.
Trump revealed the subsidy
figure in a tweet Friday. He suggested the government use the funds to buy agricultural products to ship to other nations for humanitarian aid, though setting up such a system
would be extremely complicated. In his most recent
budget proposal, Trump proposed eliminating three food aid programs,
Politico noted.
The president appeared to dismiss the impact of the cost as he
falsely claimed — again — that “massive” tariff payments are being paid by China “
directly” to the U.S. Treasury, which would presumably be used to cover the cost of the subsidy. There is “absolutely no need to rush” to negotiate a deal with China, he tweeted.
In fact, the tariffs are paid by U.S. importers, who pass on the extra costs to the American consumer in the form of higher prices for products, a fact White House economic adviser
Larry Kudlow admitted Sunday. Economists have estimated that the trade war is costing the U.S. more than
$3 billion a month.
Talks with China continue in a very congenial manner - there is absolutely no need to rush - as Tariffs are NOW being paid to the United States by China of 25% on 250 Billion Dollars worth of goods & products. These massive payments go directly to the Treasury of the U.S....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump)
May 10, 2019