Agricultores dos EUA enfrentam 'calamidade financeira' sem ajuda extra em breve, dizem republicanos
Agricultores dos EUA enfrentam crise com preços baixos e guerra comercial, pedindo apoio federal urgente. Parlamentares republicanos buscam aprovar pacote de ajuda antes do final do ano para mitigar perdas econômicas.
Farmers in the U.S. are facing challenges as they enter the fall harvest season, struggling with low crop prices and a trade war that threatens their livelihoods.
Republican lawmakers from agricultural states are urging President Donald Trump to provide economic assistance by the end of the year. They are balancing loyalty to the president and the needs of voters who have expressed concerns about Trump's trade policies.
Four members of Congress are negotiating with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for a relief package, ideally by the end of December. Senator John Hoeven is advocating for a similar approach to the one used in Trump's first term, which included US$ 23 billion in payments to farmers.
Hoeven emphasized the urgency, stating farmers need assistance soon, preferably by the year’s end. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins noted efforts are ongoing to assess the required assistance but did not disclose a timeline or dollar amount.
The USDA has indicated it is evaluating the need for additional support. A White House spokesperson highlighted Trump's efforts to assist farmers by opening new markets and reducing taxes.
The federal government is projected to spend over US$ 40 billion on farm payments by 2025, the second-highest amount since 1933. Glenn Thompson, chair of the House Agriculture Committee, underscored the dire economic conditions farmers are experiencing.
He anticipates that the aid needed may exceed the US$ 23 billion from Trump’s first term. An estimate projects a decline in net agricultural income of over US$ 30 billion by 2026 due to reduced government payments and low prices.
Representative Angie Craig attributed this drop to Trump's tariffs and policies, urging the government to alleviate the chaos in the agricultural sector.
In Arkansas, nearly 500 farmers expressed concerns about meeting loan payments necessary for the next planting season. Representative Rick Crawford suggested that an aid package would likely not be ready before October, stressing the urgency for farmers to receive clear signals of coming assistance.