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Smith says tariffs have prompted concessions in global ag trade

Nebraska Congressman Adrian Smith says he’s cautiously optimistic about the long-term outlook for agriculture trade.  

He tells Brownfield while he’s not a supporter of tariffs, they’ve brought countries to the negotiating table.

“We see concessions from other countries,” Smith said. “I believe that ultimately to have the leveling of the playing field move forward beyond President Trump’s term of office that Congress will need to be involved.”

Speaking with reporters at the Nebraska Farm Bureau Convention, he said the President’s financial assistance package could help producers until the trade agreements start creating more export sales.

“I think he’s trying to make some folks whole who have sacrificed considerably,” Smith said. “I want to keep an open mind how we move forward with that and to what level. I think it’s certainly timely.”

Smith says implementing fair trade policies could help lower input costs for row crop farmers.