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Agriculture watching closely after Supreme Court limits tariff powers

A U.S. Congressman says the latest Supreme Court ruling striking down the President’s use of tariffs could reshape the agriculture trade conversation.

Mike Flood, a Republican from Nebraska, says Congress and the administration will need to work together moving forward. “The ruling really underscores Congress’s responsibility and obligation to set the tariff policy.

On Friday, in a 6-3 decision, the Justices said Article I of the Constitution gives Congress the power to levy tariffs and the President doesn’t have the authority to use International Emergency Economic Powers Act for them.

He says the U.S. has made progress expanding market access and that can’t be overlooked going forward. “Whether it’s Vietnam, the United Kingdon and Japan, we’ve made progress there and I don’t want to see that go backwards. China is always going to play tough with us and want to have the upper hand.”

He tells Brownfield regardless of what comes next, China needs to be held accountable. “They say they’re going to buy our soybeans. Get it done. They can’t be trusted sometimes to even meet the obligations they commit to.”

American Soybean Association President Scott Metzger says President should refrain from imposing tariffs on inputs due to the impact it’s had on expenses.

Farmers for Free Trade Executive Director Brian Kuehl says the court’s decision is an important step forward but remains concerned that tariffs could be implemented using other means. He says a new approach could create the same retaliation from trading partners.

House Ag Committee member Republican Don Bacon of Nebraska has been critical of tariffs because he says they aren’t smart economic policy and feels vindicated by the court’s decision.  

Mike Flood: