Help Coming in Face of Trade Wars

Help Coming in Face of Trade Wars

Maura Bennett
Maura Bennett
Colorado Farm Bureau and other producers groups are expressing worries about the possibility of a full blown trade war. China has threatened levies on American goods including fruit pork, and ethanol. That was in response to the Trump administration's planned tariffs on imported steel and aluminum.

USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue told reporters there may be actions the agency can take that might reduce the possible economic damage to farmers from trade disruptions and possible trade wars.

"Actions will be taken here. We're not going to let farmers be sacrificed on trade wars."

He did say the actions will send a message to China that is will not be able to change US policy by holding US agriculture hostage.

China is proposing tariffs of $50 billion on US goods. And that posturing has put Colorado's farmers and ranchers on edge. China has threatened a 25 percent tariff on pork. The Denver Post reports soybeans, the top crop the U.S. sends to China, also is vulnerable, as is sorghum, a grain raised for export that is well-suited to Colorado's drier climate.

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