Trump's mega billion dollar plan to shield farmers from trade war

The supports would be a balm to producers who are seeing prices drop and inventories rise

The Trump administration is set to announce Tuesday a plan to provide billions in aid to farmers to help shield them from the impact of a trade war in which agriculture is a main target for retaliation against US tariffs, a person familiar with the plans said.

Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue has been promising an aid package for months, and department officials have said farmers may get assistance through government purchases of commodities using a Depression-era program. Administration officials and lawmakers have also discussed stepped-up trade promotion measures as a way to help farmers.

The supports would be a balm