U.S. Rep. Tom Reed said Wednesday he understood farmers’ unease over the disruptive effects of President Donald Trump’s tariff policies when it comes to agriculture exports.
“There’s a new disruptive force on trade,” Reed told reporters during his weekly media call. “As you go down this disruptive path, there are some consequences to it.”
Reed said he supports the Trump Administration’s $12 billion offer of assistance to farmers stung by tariffs. “To farmers seeing potential negative effects, we will give them relief,” Reed said.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced this week the three-part plan that would borrow money from the U.S. Treasury to pay producers of soybeans, sorghum, corn, wheat, cotton, dairy and hogs, the Associated Press reports. The USDA also will buy the surplus of commodities that would otherwise have been exported and distribute them to food banks and other nutrition programs. That will cover fruits, nuts, rice, legumes, beef, pork and milk.
The announcement comes as agriculture becomes one of many U.S. industries rocked by Trump trade disputes with China, Mexico, Canada and the European Union.
New York Farm Bureau President David Fisher said Wednesday, “The USDA’s $12 billion plan to support farmers caught up by the retaliatory tariffs slapped on U.S. agricultural products recognizes the dire need for some relief. Farmers are already facing the financial consequences of the trade barriers. Commodity prices are once again dropping at a time when farm income has been at its lowest point in years.”
Fisher added: “In the end, what our farmers are asking for are open markets to sell the quality products they produce. We hope that the trade matter will quickly be resolved because short term relief can only go so far when farmers need to plan for the long term.”
Reed, who had not seen the Farm Bureau release, said, “I appreciate where they are coming from. Trade for so long has been unfair to American farmers.”
While Reed said he believed the president had not exceeded his authority in acting, the Corning Republican added: “I believe we need to bring some of that authority back to Congress.”
In previous trade talks, there was “no commitment to get to an even, level playing field,” Reed said. With the size of the American market, “having access to our markets is critical.”
IN ANOTHER MATTER, Reed said he “respectfully disagrees” with former Rep. Amo Houghton, 91, who told the Buffalo News on Monday he was “scared for the country” over Trump’s actions.
In a recent talk with Houghton, Reed said he “tried to reassure him it’s not as dire as he may see it. I respectfully disagree this will lead to the destruction of the county.”
Reed told reporters, “I highly regard and respect Amo. But I do not share his concern.”
Reed said he has had disagreements with Trump, generally over how the president presents things in the media. Reed said he has used his personal relationship with Trump to encourage a different approach.
Reed also announced the Problem Solvers Caucus, which he co-chairs, had submitted a Break the Gridlock proposal that would reform how bills get to the floor of Congress.
It also addresses the speaker’s seat, specifically how to vacate it. The reforms would make it more difficult for extremists to disrupt Congress and easier for bipartisan legislative action.
The No Labels Caucus also endorsed the Break the Gridlock bill, Reed said.
(Contact reporter Rick Miller at rmiller@oleantimesherald.com. Follow him on Twitter, @RMillerOTH)