President Trump speaks at the American Farm Bureau Federation's annual convention in Nashville, Tenn., on Monday.
President Trump thanked America's farmers for their political support on Monday and unveiled a plan designed to help revive fortunes in struggling rural areas. At the same time, the president is pursuing trade and immigration policies that could be harmful to farmers' bottom lines.
In a speech to the American Farm Bureau Federation in Nashville, Tenn., Trump took note of farmers' role in the economy and social fabric of the country.
"We are fighting for our farmers ... and we're fighting for our country, and for our great American flag," Trump said. "In every decision we make, we are honoring America's proud farming legacy."
It was a friendly audience. Exit polls in 2016 found Trump had broader support among rural voters than in cities and suburbs. The GOP share of the vote in rural areas was 9 percent higher that year than in 2008 — a margin that helped propel Trump to his Electoral College victory.
Perdue reportedly helped persuade the president not to cancel NAFTA back in April by showing Trump a map of states that would be hardest hit. Many of those were states that Trump had carried.
Perdue suggests Trump's threat to end NAFTA is simply a negotiating tactic.
"The president has a New York style of negotiating that believes unless you're willing to walk away from a deal you're not going to get the best deal," he said. "I've got confidence he will at the end of the day have a great deal for American farmers and the American economy."