Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue George (Sonny) Ervin PerduePerdue has found the right path in National Forests Democrats seek clarity on payroll tax deferral for federal workers USDA extending free meals for kids through end of the year if funding allows after criticism MORE said in a new interview that farmers were a casualty of President Trump Donald John TrumpSteele Dossier sub-source was subject of FBI counterintelligence probe Pelosi slams Trump executive order on pre-existing conditions: It 'isn't worth the paper it's signed on' Trump 'no longer angry' at Romney because of Supreme Court stance MORE's escalating trade dispute China.

"[American farmers] are one of the casualties here with trade disruption," Perdue told CNN. "We knew going in that when you flew the penalty flag on China, the retaliation, if it came, would be against the farmer."

The comments from Perdue come amid a months-long dispute between the U.S. and China that has led to retaliatory tariffs from both nations.

ADVERTISEMENT

China's government in 2018 imposed duties on US soybean, corn, and wheat after Trump enforced tariffs on Chinese products.

The imposition of those tariffs caused American agricultural products to be more expensive for Chinese importers, which lead to many private buyers to stop purchasing American soybeans and wheat altogether, CNN reported.

The news network added that many farmers threw their support behind Trump's goal to acquire a better trade deal with China. But that support has appeared to wane as tensions continue to persist.

The president has moved to offer aid to farmers impacted by the trade war. The administration in late May announced a new $16 billion aid package for farmers that would provide direct payments to help them make up for losses resulting from retaliatory tariffs Beijing imposed on major U.S. crop.

"I've told the President -- and the President understands -- you can't pay the bills with patriotism. We know that, and certainly he knows that. That's why he's trying to supplement the damage they're having from trade disruptions with market facilitation," Perdue said, before adding that farmers shouldn't expect aid next year.