A sub-committee of the House Ways and Means Committee held a hearing Wednesday looking at the impacts of retaliatory tariffs on U.S. agriculture and Rural Communities. One of those testifying was Minnesota Farm Bureau President Kevin Paap who farms in Blue Earth County. He says markets are critical for farmers going through difficult economic times and the tariffs are causing the loss of markets for America’s producers.
He says agriculture is bearing the brunt of the trade war and is being dragged down by retaliatory tariffs, a down economy and lack of a new farm bill.
Paap says soybean farmers and pork producers are being hit the hardest.
South Dakota Farm Bureau President Scott VanderWal also testified. He says while farmers support President Trump, they’re losing their patience over the tariff issue with harvest approaching and lower prices looming. He says a fix is needed soon and the President should start with Canada and Mexico and then move onto China.
