Trade was the focus of discussions between South Dakota’s Governor and the Ambassador of the European Union to the United States on Monday in Sioux Falls. Governor Dennis Daugaard says the current trade war between the U.S. and China and the imposed steel and aluminum tariffs on the EU have Ambassador David O’Sullivan concerned about the potential for continued trade disruptions.

The U.S. tariff increases on steel and aluminum don’t take effect for the European Union until next month, but Daugaard and O’Sullivan are watching to see what happens including retaliation.

Daugaard says he’s concerned about what a trade war with China or the EU will mean for South Dakota agriculture.

Yesterday U.S. Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue assured farmers they would be protected in a trade war with China.