Sonny Perdue is officially the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and like a farmer, he doesn?t have enough hours to get things done. Like Iowa farmers, he got a late start this year.
John Block, in his weekly commentary, outlines what Secretary Perdue is already doing, what he may get accomplished and who he may bring in to be his deputy.
“It’s only been a week but the Ag Secretary has hit the ground running,” Block said.
He’s ordered that schools be given more flexibility. “His stance is consistent with Trump. They don’t want the federal government dictating everything.”
Purdue also wants to negotiate a trade deal with China, and because of his influence Trump is not going to rip up NAFTA.
“Countries all over the world take steps to encourage favorable trade for their country. It can be tarrif’s or non-tarrif’s, the United States is not without our own distortions, but we have less barriers than most countries.”
It’s critical that the trade representative be confirmed. “Hopefully President Trump’s nominee for U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighteizer will get confirmed this week,” Block said.
Secretary Purdue is not sitting idle. He is going to Iowa this week. “Will he meet with Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey? The word is that Northey is under consideration for Deputy Secretary of Agriculture,” Block concluded.
