Many governments (including the US) provide protections for their agricultural industries. Read below an excerpt from a September 2016 press release from the US Trade Rep's office and discuss what type of non-tariff trade barrier this represents. United States Challenges Excessive Chinese Support for Rice, Wheat, and Corn Washington, D.C. – Today, the Obama Administration has launched a new trade enforcement action against the People’s Republic of China at the World Trade Organization (WTO) concerning excessive government support provided for Chinese production of rice, wheat, and corn. United States Trade Representative Michael Froman and United States Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack were joined by bipartisan members of Congress in announcing the complaint which challenges China’s use of “market price support” for three key crops (rice, wheat, and corn) in excess of China’s commitments under WTO rules. In 2015, China’s “market price support” for these products is estimated to be nearly $100 billion in excess of the levels China committed to during its accession (to the WTO). China’s excessive market price support for rice, wheat, and corn inflates Chinese prices above market levels, creating artificial government incentives for Chinese farmers to increase production. The United States is challenging China’s government support on behalf of American rice, wheat, and corn farmers to help reduce distortions for rice, wheat, and corn, and help American farmers to compete on a more level playing field.