With possible stronger reciprocal tariffs coming, small farmers can’t take much more, ag groups warn

A major trade deadline is growing on the horizon. In a little more than two weeks, stronger reciprocal tariffs could be a reality. However, one trade group says farmers cannot take much more, saying the ag industry is getting squeezed in more ways than one right now.

“One, we’re trying to sell our products overseas, and that’s made harder by a trade war. Two, we’re relying on inputs, whether that’s farm chemicals or fertilizer or the steel that goes into tractors. All of that gets more expensive, so farmers get squeezed on both ends, and that’s where you see bankruptcies, people getting out of farming, suicides, these are all bad things that happen when farmers get squeezed,” said Brian Kuehl with Farmers For Free Trade.

Farmers For Free Trade suggests reaching out to your elected officials to let them know what is happening on the farm.

Related Stories
Canadian industry leaders argue the tax policies cited by U.S. officials are similar to exemptions already used by American growers.
Current estimates are already hovering around 80 weeks.
Soybeans accounted for nearly half of the $15 billion in losses on U.S. ag exports to China due to tariffs, according to researchers at North Dakota State University.
Cattle analysts say the U.S. beef cattle herd rebuild still faces major hurdles despite some minor positive signals noted in certain regions.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

RealAg Radio’s Shaun Haney recaps Farm Credit Canada’s trade forum, Canadian producer sentiment ahead of the USMCA review, and his outlook for U.S.-Canada trade relations.
Wednesday, June 17 at 7:30 PM ET / 6:30 PM CT
Kevin Charleston with Specialty Risk Insurance joins us to discuss evolving insurance needs in the dairy sector and strategies to support dairy producers during National Dairy Month.
RealAg Radio host Shaun Haney joins us to discuss Canada’s livestock import restrictions, producer reaction to the New World screwworm detection in Texas, and the potential implications for cross-border livestock trade.
HTS Commodities’ Lewis Williamson joins us to recap USDA’s latest Crop Progress Report, troubling winter wheat conditions, and key market factors shaping the markets as the growing season progresses.