 Vilsack blames expected record farm trade deficit on strong U.S. economy and criticisms of China. This is the American Ag Network. I'm Jesse Allen with News of Agriculture. USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack blamed this year's expected record farm trade deficit on a strong U.S. economy and U.S. criticism of major trading partner China. Vilsack says the U.S. economy's strength with its stronger dollar is largely to blame for USDA's record $32 billion forecast ag trade deficit this fiscal year.