Agriculture groups say trade retaliations from China will “costs farmers their livelihoods.” China announced retaliation efforts to the Trump administration’s tariffs on steel and aluminum.
The American Soybean Association says “It’s extremely frustrating” the administration is targeting the nation’s largest trading partner during a time of low farm income.
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall echoed those comments, stating Friday that if the trade situation “continues to deteriorate,” the lives of farmers and ranchers “will become more difficult.”
China is mainly targeting U.S. steel products, fresh and dried fruits, and even ethanol, along with U.S. pork.
The National Pork Producers Council says the tariffs by China will hurt the rural economy. Last year, the U.S. pork industry exported $1.1 billion of product to China, making that country the number two value market for U.S. pork.
China is considering a 25 percent tariff on U.S. pork, along with recycled aluminum goods.
From the National Association of Farm Broadcasting News Service.