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Farmers concerned about steel, aluminum tariffs

Commodity groups say President Trump’s decision to impose tariffs of 25 percent on steal and 10 percent on aluminum could lead to retaliation from other countries.

Patrick Delaney with the American Soybean Association says it could endanger trade relations with China.

“We send more soybeans to China that the rest of the world combined to the tune of $14 billion in the last marketing year so it has the potential to really disrupt our success over there,” he says.

Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue told reporters at Commodity Classic the U.S. can’t be responsible for China’s response, but he says there could be one.

“We need to be prepared in that effort from a mitigation perspective if there are retaliations on agriculture products,” he says.

US Wheat Associates and the National Association of Wheat Growers are also concerned. The groups say they sympathize with steel and aluminum workers on the effects of Chinese policies but hope their concerns are taken into consideration.

Audio: Patrick Delaney, American Soybean Association