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Tariffs could get better ag market access

An ag lobbyist says while trade tariffs are a concern for production agriculture, the farmers who support President Trump understand tariffs can be used for better market access.

“But if these tariffs were to stay in place a long time, I think that view might change.”

Randy Russell tells Brownfield there’s a growing ag trade deficit and there haven’t been new trade deals in the last few years. But he says new trade deals are one thing and enforcing trade deals are another.

“This time around, whether it’s Canada or China, if the U.S. cuts a deal, we should be watching the enforcement piece. In the end, that’s where we’ve had problems.”

China and Canada have issued retaliatory tariffs on U.S. ag products. In early April, President Trump has said reciprocal tariffs will go into effect on countries that retaliate against the U.S.

Russell says it’s unclear how the Trump administration will calculate reciprocal tariffs and whether there will be exclusions.