American farmers are carrying the burden of trade tariffs put in place by President Donald Trump and they were in Washington this week to discuss it during a congressional hearing. Farmers shared concerns that included shrinking export markets, rising costs, and bankers who would be more reluctant to loan money for operating costs. Scott VanderWal, American Farm Bureau vice president, …
Navarro Discounts Trade War Impact on Ag
White House Trade Adviser Pete Navarro downplayed the impact tariffs are having on the ag economy, calling the impact of the trade war between the U.S. and China “a rounding error,” compared with either country’s economic output. “My point is that it’s much less disruptive than these headlines would suggest,” Navarro told CNBC. “It’s also much more constructive as we …
Farm Bureau Response to Navarro’s ‘Rounding Error’ Statement
The following statement may be attributed to American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall: “White House trade advisor Peter Navarro’s recent comments that the damage this trade war is doing to certain sectors of the U.S. economy, of which we all know includes agriculture, is little more than a ‘rounding error’ are out of touch with the pain our farmers …
Perdue: Tariffs not the Ultimate Answer
“Tariffs are not the ultimate answer,” says Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue. Speaking to the Washington International Trade Association, Perdue told the group tariffs are rather “a tool to get people’s attention” so both teams “play by the same rules.” Politico reports that Perdue recognized retaliation by China, Mexico, Canada and the European Union to Trump’s tariffs was causing pain in …
Trade Impacts on Land Prices Unknown. Now
The impact of the current trade climate on land prices remains unknown, but Farmers National Company says time will tell. Farmers National says there is no easy answer as to what effect trade issues are having on land prices currently. The company says many factors influence local land values. Supply of land for sale and the level of demand are …
Roberts Honored with International Trade Award
For his work to fight for open markets for American agriculture, Senator Pat Roberts of Kansas was presented the Congressional Leadership Award by the Washington International Trade Association. Presented to the Republican this week, the award recognizes individuals who have made exceptional contributions in the field of international trade. In accepting the award, Roberts, who chairs the Senate Agriculture Committee, …
Agri View: Importance of World Trade
Everett Griner talks about the importance of world trade in today’s Agri View. Importance of World Trade You know not many people realize, or do they have interest in, world trade. It is something that doesn’t come up for discussion very often. We have so many special occasions. Why would the average person even acknowledge world trade? The question is-where …
Japan, EU, Sign Trade Agreement
While the United States remains engaged in a trade disruptive environment, the European Union and Japan have signed a free trade agreement. The agreement, signed Tuesday, is hoped to counteract the protectionist trade environment fueled by the U.S. and President Donald Trump, according to Reuters. The agreement creates one of the world’s largest open economic areas. Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo …
Trade War Endangers Farmers, Farm Bureau Tells Congress
American Farm Bureau Federation Vice President Scott VanderWal and Texas Farm Bureau President Russell Boening warned Congress that many farms will lose money and even go out of business entirely if the growing trade war continues. Each called for a resumption of talks and removal of tariffs that are undoing decades of progress in trade. Kevin Paap, president of the …
Perdue: Farmers Can’t Pay Bills on Patriotism
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue Tuesday called farmers “some of the best patriots in America,” while speaking at an event, but said farmers “can’t pay the bills with patriotism.” Perdue made the comments at Axios 360, an event held by news website Axios, in Washington, D.C. Tuesday morning. Perdue says farmers and ranchers are “bearing the brunt” of the ongoing trade …