Payments to Farmers to Soften Tariff's Bite Questioned at WTO

Countries from around the world questioned the U.S. at the World Trade Organization about its $12 billion package of support to farmers hurt by retaliatory tariffs on their products by trading partners. "Anxiety was clearly felt over the disruptive effect that the new US bailout package might have on the global market," a Geneva trade official wrote in a summary of the meeting that was held Sept. 25-26. The officials said there were questions like "What safeguards are taken to limit trade distorting impact on global markets?” and “Can the United States confirm that this is a one-off payment and will not extend into future years?” China and New Zealand asked if the U.S. might exceed its total limit of $19 billion in payments to farmers in any one year, which would put it out of compliance with its WTO commitments. The U.S. stressed that it is a one-time policy, covering the fiscal period of September 2018 to January 2019, the trade official said, and said it won't exceed the limit.