When the President Tweeted early this morning, “We must not let our country, companies and workers be taken advantage of any longer,” a chill ran down the spines of many members of the agricultural community across Michigan as they feared that the next step would be new American tariffs on steel and aluminum. The President’s Tweet was about the American steel and aluminum industries and his follow up that “We want free, fair and smart trade!” led to confirmation later in the day that President Trump will, indeed, set into motion tariffs of 25-percent on steel and 10-percent on aluminum.
Fears of a trade war impacting growers and producers in Michigan and their ability to export to foreign nations has led to action by members of that community at large.
By early afternoon, The Agricultural Leaders of Michigan organization had released a statement regarding the President’s intent. Here is that statement:
“Trade agreements forged in partnership with our neighbors and global partners have exponentially increased U.S. agricultural exports in recent years and created an agricultural trade surplus that is directly responsible for thousands of Michigan and U.S. jobs. We cannot afford a trade war. We urge the administration to reconsider the policy announced today and take into account the likelihood of retaliatory tariffs on agricultural products grown and produced in Michigan and around the nation.”
The statement was signed by:
- Dave Armstrong, president and CEO, GreenStone Farm Credit Services
- Jim Byrum, president, Michigan Agri-Business Association
- Gail Frahm, executive director, Michigan Soybean Association
- Mary Kelpinski, CEO, Michigan Pork Producers Association
- Ken Nobis, president, Michigan Milk Producers Association
Agricultural Leaders of Michigan is a coalition of agricultural, commodity and agribusiness leaders committed to promoting Michigan agriculture, participating in the ongoing dialogue about issues affecting our state, and harnessing agriculture’s power and potential to further grow Michigan’s economy. The coalition is made up of those five key industry associations. You can learn more at www.agleadersmi.com.
The President’s proposed tariffs are expected to apply to all foreign nations after the President said he wanted no exemptions to the rule. The proposed action was not well received on Wall Street either, as the market plunged again with the Dow Jones Industrial Average falling more than 420 points at the close or trading today.
