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As April 2nd date looms, long-term tariff concerns grow

An ag economist is voicing concerns about how additional tariffs could impact the long-term viability of the ag industry.

Ohio State University’s Ian Sheldon says he’s worried about the future of ag exports.

“I don’t see the US signing any free trade agreements with anybody, given the position the US is taking and the very transactional nature of trade policy right now,” he says. “Why would any other country want to sign a free trade agreement with the US on the current conditions?”

He tells Brownfield he expects more retaliatory measures from major trading partners to be put in place.

“There’s a huge amount of uncertainty right now amongst countries that trade with the US,” he says. “I would suggest that the EU and Canada are likely to increase retailiation against the US because of those tariffs.”

Sheldon says there are other ways to resolve trade conflicts other than resorting to extreme tariff measures.

AUDIO: Ian Sheldon, Ohio State University