Farmers Will Pay For Tariffs: U.S. barley industry braces trade war ripple effects

U.S. barley farmers fear tariffs could take away key export markets. The industry has already been facing tight margins.

Beer drinking levels in the U.S. are at the lowest in 40 years. Barley farmer and Vice President of the Montana Grain Growers Association, Steve Sheffels says that farmers will ultimately pay for tariffs.

He says that the U.S. grows way more barley than can be consumed domestically and if key markets like Canada and Mexico disappear, farmers will be competing for a much more limited number of buyers.

Related Stories
Foreign trade partners, such as China and the European Union, are still purchasing U.S. commodities, but are becoming more cautious as the Trump Administration’s tariff deadline approaches in August.