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Missouri farmers are affected in a trade war

Missouri’s Ag Director says livestock and crop farmers across the state will be impacted by tariffs and retaliation in the new trade war.

Chris Chinn says the top three trading partners for Missouri agriculture are involved in the U.S. trade war: Canada, Mexico and China.

“We export a lot of forest products to China,” she says. “Corn, soybeans, beef and pork are our top exports and we export a lot of rice.”

Chinn tells Brownfield she’s optimistic for a quick resolution.

“We’re seeing leaders come to the table quicker than we did last time. That gives me a lot of hope and optimism.”

Chinn says while tariffs might make some nervous given some market loss after the last trade war, farmers should “hang in there” as the Trump administration works to get better markets for U.S. products.

“We don’t want to lose market access, but we also want to have opportunities that allow us to have new market access as well. While you may lose one market for awhile, there’s always another market to pick up.”

She says the ag department and state commodity groups continue to work on new and emerging markets for Missouri agriculture.

Hear the interview.