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Farmers, manufacturers take anti tariff message on tour

Farmers for Free Trade and Americans for Free Trade have taken their Tariffs Hurt the Heartland message on tour.   Their seventh stop was in Waukesha, Wisconsin where a panel representing farmers, restaurateurs, small businesses and manufacturers talked about how tariffs and retaliatory tariffs have impacted them.  Dennis Slater with the Association of Equipment Manufacturers told the crowd the pain is trickling down.  “Farmers are being hurt by reduced demand, lower prices, and the uncertainty in global markets.  You know, that hurts our industry a second time as the strong equipment manufacturing industry relies on a strong agricultural economy to be successful.”

Wisconsin Farm Bureau President Jim Holte says trade is essential for farmers, and getting a new Mexico and Canada deal is a step in the right direction, but the counter-tariffs are still in place.  “We are thankful for the trade deal with Mexico and Canada.  We just need to get it ratified because until it’s ratified, it does us no good at all.”

Austin Ramirez is President and CEO of Husco International, where the event was held.  He told the crowd the House and Senate officials he has talked with have all been supportive of their issue and do not support these new tariffs.  “Unfortunately, at this point, this is not a Congressional issue.  This is an Executive branch issue, and our President has been very transparent with the fact that he really believes that tariffs are an effective policy to address trade imbalances.”

Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson, who comes from a manufacturing background, met with business leaders after the panel discussion.  Johnson told media most Republicans have a concern about the tariffs and they support free, fair, and reciprocal trade but admits it’s complicated.  He says, “We support the administration’s goals but we have concerns.  We all hear from constituents, particularly those of us in agriculture and manufacturing states, which is a lot of us.”  Johnson says he and others are conveying these stories to the administration.  “Again, the administration is listening.  They’re hearing it.”

The panel explained how steel and aluminum tariffs have increased their costs for raw materials and everything from stainless steel kitchen equipment to aluminum beer cans with prices often changing daily.  In agriculture, the retaliatory tariffs have severely damaged or eliminated markets for commodities.

Listen to OEM’s Dennis Slater:

Wisconsin Farm Bureau President Jim Holte:

Senator Ron Johnson speaks with reporters:

A replay of the panel discussion is available at this link.