There has been a mixed reaction from groups representing US farmers to President Donald Trump’s announcement of wide-ranging tariffs on imports to the US.
These tariffs, which Trump has described as “reciprocal tariffs”, include a 20% tariff on the EU as whole, which will cover EU – and Irish – agri-food.
In general, there will be a baseline tariff of 10% placed on all goods entering the US, which will take effect from Saturday (April 5).
American farm groups have been reacting to Trump’s tariffs, with some organisations concerned that US farmers will be hurt by tariffs placed on US goods by the EU and other countries in response.
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), which represents some 2 million farms, said that, while it welcomed the goal of a level playing field for US farmers, tariffs were not the way to go about it.
“More than 20% of farm income comes from exports, and farmers rely on imports for crucial supplies like fertilizer and specialized tools. Tariffs will drive up the cost of critical supplies, and retaliatory tariffs will make American-grown products more expensive globally,” Duvall added.
“The combination not only threatens farmers’ competitiveness in the short-term, but it may cause long-term damage by leading to losses in market share.
“We encourage the administration to work toward a swift resolution to trade disagreements to avoid tariffs that put farmers and ranchers in the crosshairs of retaliation, and to pursue strategies that expand market opportunities for the men and women who grow the food every family in America relies on,” the AFBF president said.
Meanwhile, the National Farmers Union (NFU), which represents around 200,000 farms and ranches, said that American family farmers and ranchers will “bear the brunt of this global trade war”.
Rob Larew, the organisation’s president, said: “The economic strain and uncertainty that farmers face have reached a breaking point. Without meaningful support and a commitment to fair trade policies, we will lose even more family farms, weaken rural economies, and ultimately drive up costs and limit choices for consumers at the grocery store.
“We rely on stable markets and fair competition to thrive, but the administration’s actions today create instability at the expense of our family farmers,” Larew added.
“Policymakers must recognize that the consequences of these decisions extend far beyond the farm. Our entire food system and the communities it sustains are at stake.
“Our trade policy must support the needs of family farmers and ranchers, not put them at further risk,” the NFU president commented.
However, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) took a more positive view of Trump’s announcement.
The NCBA, which represents around 175,000 beef producers, said: “For too long, America’s family farmers and ranchers have been mistreated by certain trading partners around the world.”
The association’s senior vice-president for government affairs, Ethan Lane (who was in attendance at the White House for Trump’s announcement) said that the president is “taking action to address numerous trade barriers that prevent consumers overseas from enjoying high-quality, wholesome American beef”.
“The NCBA will continue engaging with the White House to ensure fair treatment for America’s cattle producers around the world and optimise opportunities for exports abroad.”
Lane outlined some examples of tariffs and trade barriers that exist on US beef producers, including a 30% tariff on US beef exported to Vietnam; and 50% tariff on beef exported to Thailand; and “non-scientific Green Deal restrictions” placed on American beef by the EU.
“The NCBA continues to push for more opportunities for US producers to sell their beef abroad, increasing profitability,” Lane said.
You can now read the most important #news on #eDairyNews #Whatsapp channels!!!
🇺🇸 eDairy News INGLÊS: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaKsjzGDTkJyIN6hcP1K
