Soybean growers could take a hit this year if port fees are added to Chinese-built ships, Senator Chuck Grassley warns.
“Right now, our lower shipping costs make Ag products like Iowa corn and soybeans competitive with Brazilian corn and beans. If a maximum fee were put in place, our farmers would lose their edge and cede even more market share to competitors in South America.”
Grassley says he hopes U.S. Trade Rep Jamieson Greer takes farmer concerns seriously as they decide the next steps. Some groups say smaller ports would suffer under the deal, possibly putting the supply chain in jeopardy.
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“We believe that it is just a matter of days or weeks... before we see New World screwworm in Texas.”
Rollins says the new trade relationship with Taiwan, which is committed to buying a significant amount of U.S. soy, could not come at a better time for farmers facing financial strain.
