Trump administration to offer additional relief to farmers amid trade war

The Department of Agriculture will distribute the second round of aid payments for 2019 aimed at buffering the impact of President Trump's trade war with China starting next week, according to a USDA statement.

The state of play: The administration already paid farmers $6.7 billion for production in this year and $8.6 billion last year, per Politico. The earlier payment in 2019 covered half of the farmers' eligible production, and the latest round will cover an additional quarter.

• Producers will be able to apply for the aid through Dec. 6, per the statement.
• The Trump administration could provide additional aid in January if deemed necessary, Politico writes.

What they're saying: The relief "will give farmers, who have had a tough year due to unfair trade retaliation and natural disasters, much needed funds in time for Thanksgiving,” Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue said in the statement.

Go deeper:

• China hacked key manufacturing group during Trump's trade talks
• Tariff revenue spiked to a record $7 billion in September