Sen. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) voiced support for President Trump’s tariff policies Thursday even as she acknowledged that the agricultural community can get “a little nervous” about the topic, which has dominated much of Trump’s first two months in office.
Trump’s trade battles with Canada, Mexico and China have stoked uncertainty in markets and prompted pushback from some lawmakers, who worry consumers will face higher prices while American producers will have a tougher time exporting their goods.
“When you talk about tariffs people in ag get a little nervous, because we know we are the easy target for other countries if they are going to retaliate,” Fischer told Politico in an interview.
“But I can tell you across the ag sector in Nebraska there’s tremendous support for President Trump and what he is trying to do in order that we have fair markets,” she added.
Trump’s policies have been met with pushback by foreign leaders, who have outlined their own retaliatory measures that could raise prices for American consumers.
Canada is expected to introduce more than $20 billion in retaliatory tariffs over Trump’s steel and aluminum tariffs, following a similar move by the European Union.
China described Trump’s tariffs as “blackmail” and said it would impose 15 percent tariffs on imports of chicken, wheat, corn and cotton from the U.S., as well as 10 percent tariffs on imports of sorghum, soybeans, pork, beef, seafoods, fruits vegetables and dairy products.
The U.S. is one of China’s largest suppliers for agricultural products and steeper levies will likely come as a blow to American farmer.
However, Fischer argued for giving Trump time to produce positive trade deals.
“There’s a feeling out there that we’re going to give the president time, so that he can negotiate good deals,” Fischer told Politico.
While tariffs hang in the balance, farmers are still grappling with the Department of Agriculture’s decision to cancel two food programs that fuel the purchase of locally sourced produce.
A recent survey found most Americans view Trump’s early economic moves as too “erratic.”
