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“This is really disheartening”

Canada’s tariffs that began this week on American goods, including beef products, are another trade concern for farmers’ bottom line. “Small and mid-sized farmers just can’t afford this increased in costs at any level,” says Casey Guernsey, spokesman for Americans for Farmers & Families.

Guernsey, a former Missouri State Representative, tells Brownfield Ag News the effects of trade retaliation are hitting farmers where it hurts, “My family, we’ve seen some of our customers begin selling off their breeding stock and that’s something that is a long-term consequence for any farming operation and certainly those of us who provide stock for other farms. This is really disheartening.”

Canada imported nearly $25-million dollars in food and ag products from the U.S. last year, “It’s tremendously concerning considering all of the conversations that we’ve been having for the past six months and the excitement that we had going into this year as to a potential better deal with NAFTA.” Guernsey tells Brownfield he is HOPEFUL the administration and Congress find a solution on responsible trade policies ASAP.

This week, Canada retaliated against the U.S. steel and aluminum tariffs by imposing tariffs on $12.5 Billion dollars of U.S. exports.

AUDIO: Interview with Casey Guernsey ~