Farmers Growing Nervous At Possibility of Additional Tariffs

As the trade war between the U.S. and China rages on, farmers are becoming more and more nervous.  The President's latest request to his trade ambassador to consider a 25% tariff instead of a pending 10% on $200-billion in Chinese goods.  And the latest reports suggest Beijing may be coming back to the bargaining table on tariffs and alleged theft of trade secrets.

But, while Trump is ‘doubling down,’ U.S. agriculture is ‘doubling over,’ watching already low commodity price tank further.

“They are concerned about the future, they may get some short term relief for market impacts, but there’s always concern over long-term markets," American Farm Bureau trade adviser Dave Salmonsen.  "Especially in those commodities where there may be other suppliers.”

Other suppliers like Brazil, Argentina, Australia, the EU and others are raising concerns of long-term market losses, even as USDA readies short-term financial relief.  Salmonsen said AFBF continues to deliver the Ag sector’s message to the White House.

“We’d like to see a different tactic.  We want to see them knuckle down to negotiations, and get this done, not just using tariffs.  So, we hope they move and engage in real negotiations and this doesn’t keep going on and on, and causing market problems.”

White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters this week, the president will continue to boost tariff pressure on China until it ends its unfair trade practices.  But, with mid-term elections quickly approaching, President Trump himself, is under increasing political pressure.

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