FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 31, 2018

Contact: Hannah Packman, 202-554-1600
[email protected]

WASHINGTON – In a move that has already provoked retaliatory measures, the Trump administration today announced its intention to impose a 25 percent tariff on steel and a 10 percent tariff on aluminum imports from the European Union, Canada, and Mexico, effective midnight Thursday.

National Farmers Union (NFU), a grassroots, producer-driven organization, has long advocated fair and transparent trade policies that reduce the U.S. trade deficit and support family farmers and ranchers. In response to the announcement, National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson released the following statement:

“Unfettered free trade has characterized U.S. trade relationships for many decades, often at substantial cost to our farmers and ranchers and our nation’s economy. Though we agree with President Trump’s inclination to address unfair trading practices and reduce our trade deficit, provoking a global trade war with our closest allies hardly seems like a solution.

“Indeed, these on-again, off-again tariffs will likely result in the opposite of their intended effects. Agriculture is always the first casualty of retaliatory tariffs, and it is no different in this instance. All targeted countries have already announced that they will levy taxes on a number of U.S. agricultural products, which could have widespread, negative consequences for family farmers and ranchers.

“Family farmers and ranchers are already experiencing severely depressed farm prices and a 12-year low in farm income. They cannot afford to serve as collateral in a trade war. We again urge President Trump and his administration work with Congress to immediately put a plan in place to protect farmers, ranchers, and rural communities from retaliatory actions.”

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About NFU
National Farmers Union has been working since 1902 to protect and enhance the economic well-being and quality of life for family farmers, ranchers and rural communities through advocating grassroots-driven policy positions adopted by its membership.

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One Comment

  • I see that one problem you have is your name. Union. Small ranchers and farmers do not like unions. Cooperatives yes, but unions no. We have taken it in the shorts sense the 70’s forcing many of us out.The other problem is you have not fought and won on large agriculture corporations that poison our food, poison the wter, and poison the land. Farmers and ranchers are not stupid. We are willing to throw in the towel and let America starve because it’s better than going against what God intended and that is to manage the land, serve our own people with quality and safe food. You are more concerned with frightening people than educating them. We need to produce our own steel and aluminum. We need to bring the cost of machinery down, to affordable. We need to encourage food growth and forget subsidies. We need small business banking. We need to get rid of inhumane treatment of animals to mass produce. We need to manage our forests and public lands, We need to save farm land from sale to housing. We need to save our water by refining it. All this needs to be done and you are spinning your wheels by arguing on a small scale instead of stepping to the forefront and solving all these problems, which you could, if you were willing to work shoulder to shoulder with Trumps cabinet members.

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