FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 3, 2019
Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202.314.3106
[email protected]
WASHINGTON – Amidst escalating rhetoric and threats from President Donald Trump to close the U.S.-Mexico border, National Farmers Union (NFU) today insisted the President avoid such a “disastrous” decision, which would effectively cripple trade with U.S. agriculture’s top trading partner.
NFU President Roger Johnson released the following statement in response to the President’s remarks:
“Without regard for the American family farmer, rural resident or consumer, President Trump is yet again risking essential trade markets and our country’s once-pristine trading reputation. Shutting down the U.S.-Mexico border would be disastrous for trade with our top agricultural trading partner, and the effects would be consistent with the numerous other trade disruptions the President has self-inflicted on our country: lost markets and lower prices for products grown and raised by family farmers and ranchers.
“For two years, President Trump has dug American agriculture into a deep hole. We’ve lost markets that took decades to build, and worse yet, we’ve lost our reputation as a reliable trading partner. Threats to close our border worsen this reputation, digging our hole deeper and depressing farm prices for years to come.
“Many American farm families are already in dire financial strain because of a drastic decline in farm prices over the past five years. Unfortunately, the President’s tactless, flailing approach to trade has exacerbated the situation. In order to begin to fill the hole he has singlehandedly dug, he must work to repair relationships, not make them worse.”
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To download an audio file of Roger Johnson’s quote, visit our website at nfu.org/audio.
About NFU
National Farmers Union advocates on behalf of nearly 200,000 American farm families and their communities. We envision a world in which farm families and their communities are respected, valued, and enjoy economic prosperity and social justice.
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As a small cow calf producer, rural resident, hunter, fisherman and consumer in Texas, I just want to say that I totally disagree with Roger Johnsons remarks. As usual, this kind of devisive rhetoric comes from an individual from the north that doesn’t deal firsthand with border issues and secondly from a democrat that just doesn’t like the President. It’s an issue of border security first and foremost instead of the need for cheap farm labor. Mr. Johnson and the NFU needs to work harder on lobbying congress to pass immigration reform instead of blaming the President for doing what congress will not get done. As I read articles about how this would be disastrous to the family farm, I also see how these same family farms are exploiting the migrant worker. What you don’t see Mr. Johnson saying is that the workers work from sunrise to sunset and only make an avg of $60 per day. As you do the math you can see that an avg 12 hour day equals $5 per hour. I’ve also read where some workers have been waiting on paychecks from the farmer and others were never paid. It’s no wonder why all you hear from farmers is that they can’t get Americans to do this kind of work and American workers saying it’s not worth it. Thank you and God Bless America!
Dear sir. I don’t know how deep you have your head buried in the sand but farmers have the best union in Washington or should I say lobby to not be able to see the small wanting to get better you have to see this is a business deal we just have to eat it should you see your life getting better you should hold on to your values after all these years of we get want we want you have to grow up nobody gets what they want everyday just try being the small guy ……….still borrowing money,…..hope your day goes well..