U.S. Agriculture chief predicts more farm aid payouts despite China soy purchases

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue said on Thursday he expects the White House to approve a second tranche of aid payments to farmers hurt by ongoing trade disputes, despite new Chinese purchases of soybeans. Perdue told reporters he expected to meet with the White House Office of Management and Budget on the issue on Friday. He added that he hoped China would continue buying U.S. soybeans after the recent purchases, but said he had no knowledge of new agreements for China to do so. (Reporting by Humeyra Pamuk; Writing by Richard Valdmanis; Editing by David Gregorio)