By BRENT MARTIN
St. Joseph Post
Members of Congress who represent agricultural interests brace for impact as they expect retaliatory tariffs if President Trump follows through with his threats against U.S. trade partners.
Trump has called today “Liberation Day,” promising reciprocal tariffs against countries imposing tariffs on U.S. products.
Northern Missouri Congressman Sam Graves, a Republican and Trump supporter, claims Trump’s tough stand has already reaped benefits with Canada and Mexico.
“You know, the president’s for free trade and I think we all are, free and open trade,” Graves tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “But just by putting this out there we’ve already got two of our biggest trading partners back at the table and they’re trying to fix this. I think it’s all going to work out in the end and ultimately, it’s going to be good for everyone.”
Graves has concerns about the impact increasing tariffs might have on his 6th Congressional District, which relies heavily on agriculture.
“You always worry about that a little bit, but I think we have to see what happens,” Graves says. “And, obviously, that’s my livelihood – is farming – and, obviously we depend heavily on exports.”
Again, though, Graves insists that threatened tariffs brought Canada and Mexico to the negotiating table.
“But I think just being tough on this stuff, it’ll bring countries right back to the table,” Graves says. “And, again, our two biggest trading partners are at the table. I think it’s all going to work out.”
Less sure is Iowa U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, a Republican who worries about retaliation by countries President Trump targets for increased tariffs.
"It's very apt to be against agricultural products. It wouldn't be the only products probably that they'd put on a retaliatory tariff, but at least some," Grassley tells reporters during a conference call, "and then you'd have to know the financial impact of that before you would say how much money."
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, during a visit to Iowa, attempted to assure farmers President Trump is playing the long game, slapping on tariffs to reduce a trade imbalance that the president believes has hurt the U.S.
"He believes very sincerely that for the long term that this is the right move for the country, that ultimately the economy will thrive and all Americans will be better off," Rollins said during her tour of Iowa farm country, "but we have some, you know, maybe a couple of weeks, maybe a few months while we're working all of that out."
The trade-related payments to American farmers during the first Trump administration were spread over three years. Those payments surpassed $23 billion. Rollins told reporters the president's next set of tariffs policies are still "to be determined," but she's begun planning for payments to farmers should the tariffs impact ag commodities.
President Trump is adamant that the United States has been shortchanged in trade deals. He calls this “Liberation Day,” a day when the country fights back against those that impose tariffs and restrictions on American products. The president plans to unveil his tariffs and their targets after the Stock Market closes this afternoon.
Trading partners aren’t waiting. China has already responded with tariffs on U.S. agricultural goods. The European Union has also announced it will target American beef, poultry, peanut butter, and bourdon if the U.S. follows through.
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