AGRICULTURE/CABINET/TRADE DEALS/TRUMP PEOPLE: “Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue said today that he did not plan to step down from his Cabinet duties, amid reports that the president is getting ready to make several changes by the end of the year that could reshape the character of his administration..As many as six Cabinet members could leave by Jan. 1, POLITICO previously reported, citing White House advisers and administration sources. But Perdue is seen as likely to stay on as Agriculture secretary because of his popularity within the agricultural sector. He has also avoided some of the major scandals like scrutiny over travel spending and conflicts of interest that have dogged the Trump Cabinet. The secretary has weathered intense pressure from agriculture producers burned by President Donald Trump’s trade war, which has depressed commodity prices and driven up certain farm expenses. The new North American trade pact and USDA’s trade relief program have eased some of the angst, but trade talks with China have looked unpromising for months.”
–Sarah Zimmerman, “Sonny Perdue plans to stay on amid Trump Cabinet shakeups,” Politico, November 8, 2018 2:42 pm