Late Friday, President Trump tweeted an all-caps promise to bail out U.S. farmers. The executive pledge cited China, Mexico and Canada among the countries responsible for U.S. farm woes.
IF OUR FORMALLY TARGETED FARMERS NEED ADDITIONAL AID UNTIL SUCH TIME AS THE TRADE DEALS WITH CHINA, MEXICO, CANADA AND OTHERS FULLY KICK IN, THAT AID WILL BE PROVIDED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, PAID FOR OUT OF THE MASSIVE TARIFF MONEY COMING INTO THE USA!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 21, 2020
The president's comments come amid growing signs that the January trade deal with China is not measuring up to White House expectations. A senior U.S. Department of Agriculture official said China might end up buying just $14 billion in American farm products, much less than the $40 billion Trump had promised.
The U.S. has given billions of dollars in aid to farmers negatively affected by the U.S.-China trade war, but some regions are benefiting more than others.
According to the Farm Service Agency (a branch of the USDA), Arizona has received approximately $47 million in federal payments since federal tariffs against China began, less than 1% of total payments made to states.