While farming associations and officials applauded President Donald Trump’s announcement earlier this week to provide $12 billion in aid to farmers struggling under his far-reaching tariff policies, some Illinois farmers say more needs to be done.

“It was all over TV on those news channels, it was everywhere,” said Ben Curtin, 73, a corn and soybean farmer in Taylorville. “I was glad that they’re going to do something, but nothing’s going to make up for them killing the Chinese market.”

The soybean industry has been hit hard, especially in Illinois, the No. 1 soybean producer in the country. Last year, the state exported more than $1.4 billion worth of soybeans to China, the world’s largest buyer, according to the Illinois Department of Agriculture.

The aid package, unveiled during a Wh

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