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Ohio Farm Bureau members concerned about tariff impacts to trade

Ohio Farm Bureau members are optimistic the President’s trade strategy will open market opportunities in the European Union.

Southern Ohio farmer Jim Percival says the EU’s regulations have created export challenges for the US.

“There are a lot of barriers for us being able to export commodities to those countries,” he says. “It closes off a large market, whereas a lot of the products that they are creating over there are coming to the US. We have no way to balance that.”

But, Northern Ohio farmer Larry Theurer says the recently announced tariffs on steel and aluminum could cause supply chain disruptions.

“We’re all tied. We can’t produce the food if manufacturing isn’t producing the equipment or the steel guys aren’t making the steel, it’s all tied. It’s all one giant chain.”

Both farmers were recently in Washington D.C. to discuss their concerns with core members of their Congressional delegation.

AUDIO: Jim Percival

AUDIO: Larry Theurer