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Farm Bureau: ag secretary “gets trade concerns”

The vice president of public policy at the American Farm Bureau Federation says the new ag secretary at USDA understands the concerns surrounding ag trade tariffs.

Sam Kieffer tells Brownfield “they are keeping track of how things are going and will provide an opportunity for farmers, ranchers and organizations like Farm Bureau to weigh in and weigh our concerns.”

Kieffer says tariffs cause anxiety in agriculture following the previous trade war.

“While we may not be the target of tariffs, agriculture is usually the target of retaliation.”

President Donald Trump has signed three Executive Orders imposing new tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China. The new 25 percent duties would apply to all imports from Mexico and Canada, except Canadian energy exports, which will face a 10 percent tariff.

Trump has added a 10 percent tariff on Chinese products on top of any pre-existing tariff. China’s tariffs are already in effect, but tariffs with Mexico and Canada have been delayed and are scheduled to go into effect next Tuesday, March 4.