‘This Trade War Will Force Farms to Close’ and More Reactions From Ag Industry on Latest Tariffs

President Donald Trump announced a swath of reciprocal tariffs on Wednesday in an address at the White House Rose Garden. Calling it a “Liberation Day,” Trump signed an executive order declaring a national economic emergency due to “foreign trade and economic practices” from countries around the world. 

According to a fact sheet released by the White House in the wake of the executive order, a 10% tariff on imported goods from all countries will go into effect on April 5 at 12:01 a.m. ET.  

In addition, countries will have an “individualized reciprocal higher tariff” on countries with which the Trump administration says the United States has the largest trade deficits. These tariffs have ranges varying by country and go into effect April 9 at 12:01 ET.

As a carve-out of the proposed tariffs, United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA)-compliant goods are exempt from tariffs. Non-USMCA compliant goods from Mexico and Canada are still subject to 25% duties, while energy and potash remain at 10%.

Sen. Thom Tillis, R-North Carolina, criticized the move, saying in a video interview that “Anyone who says there will be a little bit of pain before we get things right, needs to talk about farmers, who are one crop away from bankruptcy.”

There are still details to be confirmed about the blanket tariffs to be imposed, but reporting from NBC and Bloomberg News said that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed “goods brought in from China would now face an effective tariff rate of 54% — the sum of its newly imposed 34% rate plus the 20% rate Trump had already instituted in his new administration.” The United States is projected to import upwards of $6 billion in agricultural goods from China in 2025, according to the Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Other important trade partners facing increased tariffs include the European Union at 20%, Japan at 24%, and India 26%. The United Kingdom is subject to the base 10% tariff.

Reactions have been mixed to the announcement, with concern over the duties’ impact on the economy and the potential for retaliatory tariffs from some of America’s biggest agricultural trade partners. 

Commodities Groups

American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF)

The AFBF is the nation’s largest farmer-run organization and serves farmers in all 50 states.

“Trade is critical to the success of farmers and ranchers across the country. We share the administration’s goal of leveling the playing field with our international partners, but increased tariffs threaten the economic sustainability of farmers who have lost money on most major crops for the past three years,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall.

“More than 20% of farm income comes from exports, and farmers rely on imports for crucial supplies like fertilizer and specialized tools. Tariffs will drive up the cost of critical supplies, and retaliatory tariffs will make American-grown products more expensive globally. The combination not only threatens farmers’ competitiveness in the short-term, but it may cause long-term damage by leading to losses in market share.

“We encourage the administration to work toward a swift resolution to trade disagreements to avoid tariffs that put farmers and ranchers in the crosshairs of retaliation, and to pursue strategies that expand market opportunities for the men and women who grow the food every family in America relies on.”

National Farmers Union (NFU)

NFU advocates on behalf of more than 230,000 American farm families and their communities.

“One thing is certain: American family farmers and ranchers will bear the brunt of this global trade war,” said NFU President Rob Larew. “The economic strain and uncertainty that farmers face have reached a breaking point. Without meaningful support and a commitment to fair trade policies, we will lose even more family farms, weaken rural economies, and ultimately drive up costs and limit choices for consumers at the grocery store.

“Farmers Union has always fought for fair trading relationships with other countries. We rely on stable markets and fair competition to thrive, but the administration’s actions today create instability at the expense of our family farmers,” Larew said.

“Farmers Union members came together at our national convention to share their collective concerns and urge the administration and Congress to de-escalate trade tensions. Our trade policy must support the needs of family farmers and ranchers, not put them at further risk.”

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA)

NCBA has represented America’s cattle producers since 1898, preserving the heritage and strength of the industry through education and public policy. It is the largest association of cattle producers.

“For too long, America’s family farmers and ranchers have been mistreated by certain trading

partners around the world,” said NCBA Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane. “President Trump is taking action to address numerous trade barriers that prevent consumers overseas from enjoying high-quality, wholesome American beef. NCBA will continue engaging with the White House to ensure fair treatment for America’s cattle producers around the world and optimize opportunities for exports abroad.”

International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA)

IFPA is the largest and most diverse international association serving the entire fresh produce and floral supply chain. IFPA represents member companies from small family businesses to the largest international corporations throughout the global fresh fruit and vegetable supply chain, including growers, shippers, fresh-cut processors, wholesalers, distributors, retailers, food service operators, industry suppliers and allied associations.

“The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) appreciates the administration’s decision to allow the continued trade of specialty crops, including fruits and vegetables, covered under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA),” said IFPA CEO Cathy Burns.

“Fresh fruits, vegetables, and florals are among the most highly traded commodities across North America and beyond. Reducing trade barriers ensures that consumers continue to have access to fresh, affordable produce and floral products while supporting the growers and businesses that sustain the industry.

“However, IFPA remains concerned about the broader application of tariffs on global trading partners and the resulting disruptions to supply chains, market stability, and food prices worldwide. The global trade of fresh produce is essential to the health and well-being of people in every nation. Targeted use of tariffs can be a tool for addressing inequities between trading partners, but broad application of this blunt tool often disrupts markets, raises consumer costs, and places unnecessary strain on growers and producers across the supply chain,” Burns said.

Senate Ag Committee

Sen. Chuck Grassley

Iowa Republican Chuck Grassley is a member of the Senate Ag Committee. At press time, he had not spoken publicly since Trumps announcement.

However, in an April 1 appearance on Fox News, Grassley said, “We have a political leader that was elected by a big margin, both electoral and popular,” Grassley said. “He’s carrying out a promise he made in the election to bring manufacturing to the United States, and increasing tariffs is part of it.”

He continued, “I hope the end result of the tariffs is that by putting on reciprocal tariffs, it brings other countries to bring their tariffs down. I think if we had less tariffs throughout the world, we’d have a stronger – not only U.S. economy, but we’d have a stronger world economy.”

Sen. Amy Klobuchar

Minnesota Democrat Amy Klobuchar is the Ranking Democratic Member of the Senate Ag Committee. At press time, they had not addressed Trump’s latest tariff announcement. However, on April 2, Klobuchar made remarks on the Senate floor regarding the Trump administration’s tariffs on Canada. The Senate voted 51-48 to pass a joint resolution condemning the tariffs. 

“This resolution is about drawing a line in the sand and saying you cannot abuse your emergency powers to start an unjustified trade war,” said Klobuchar. “You cannot abuse your emergency powers to hurt one of the finest relationships in the world, the relationship between America and Canada, and you cannot drive up prices, eliminate jobs, and put in place a national sales tax.”

Sen. Ben Ray Luján

New Mexico Democrat Ben Ray Luján is a member of the Senate Ag Committee.

“President Trump’s sweeping tariffs are a tax on hardworking New Mexicans,” Luján said in a statement following the announcement. “From the cost of groceries, to the price at the pump, to buying a car or building a home, these new tariffs will make daily life more expensive for many New Mexico families and businesses.

“While President Trump should be focused on lowering prices for Americans, he is instigating a trade war and making everyday Americans the casualties. President Trump – who has said that he doesn’t care if costs go up – is creating economic uncertainty, shrinking life savings, putting New Mexico jobs at risk, and driving up costs for working families.

“These tariffs are new and drastic tax increases on New Mexicans and the American people. President Trump is recklessly threatening the American economy – all while working to give the wealthiest few another tax handout and blowing up the national debt.”

Sen. Tommy Tuberville

Alabama Republican Tommy Tuberville is a member of the Senate Ag Committee and has been a staunch supporter of Trump‘s trade policy.

“President Trump’s views on tariffs – they aren’t complicated,” Tuberville said from the Senate floor. “He believes, as I do, that America has been ripped off by unfair trade deals for decades and simply wants a level playing field.

“We have to change directions. What we’re doing is not working. U.S. catfish and shrimp producers have faced some of the worst blows, for example. Vietnam is dumping billions – I repeat, billions – of pounds of catfish, and India is dumping billions of pounds of shrimp every year in the U.S. markets, flooding the markets and reducing the price for our quality domestic products. It’s devastating. We need to put a reciprocal tariff on these countries to protect our American producers.

“Now, I recognize that tariff actions may cause reciprocal tariffs from other countries. We need to take that in stride.”

Sen. Peter Welch

The Vermont Democrat is a member of the Senate Ag Committee.

“I want to talk about how these tariffs will be a dagger in the heart of the Vermont economy,” Welch said on the Senate floor. “The question for this institution is will we, as the United States Senate, accept the responsibility that each and every one of us, as senators, has to stand up for the independent authority and responsibility of this institution?”

Sen. Dick Durbin

The Illinois Democrat is a member of the Senate Ag Committee. At press time, they had not addressed Trump’s latest tariff announcement. However, on April 2, Durbin made remarks on the Senate floor regarding the Trump administration’s trade policy.

“Let me be clear: Preventing the trafficking of fentanyl is a bipartisan priority, but the fact remains that less than one percent of fentanyl intercepted at the U.S. border comes from Canada,” Durbin said. “Canada has made it clear they are willing to work with us to reduce that amount. The President’s use of IEEPA to attempt to justify these tariffs is a shoddy excuse for him to ram through an unpopular agenda and bully yet another close ally of the United States. He is manufacturing a fake ‘emergency’ as a guise to enact billions of dollars in taxes on American consumers to fund massive tax cuts for his billionaire buddies. That is unacceptable.”

Sen. Elissa Slotkin

Michigan Democrat Elissa Slotkin is a first-term member of the Senate Ag Committee. At press time, they had not addressed Trump’s latest tariff announcement. However, on March 31, Slotkin, along with Senators Tammy Baldwin and Gary Peters, wrote a letter to the president urging Trump to “dramatically revise” the U.S. trade relationship with China and 14 trade agreements.

“For 30 years we’ve been outsourcing our supply chains way too far, and too many Michigan workers have suffered because of it,” said Slotkin. “Democrats, especially in the Midwest, need a vision for a 21st century trade policy. To me, that strategy isn’t rocket science. It should strengthen the Middle Class and protect American manufacturing and jobs, provide certainty for American businesses and farmers, and recognize that the U.S. has powerful economic levers to wield against our adversaries.”

House Ag Committee

Rep. Angie Craig

Minnesota Democrat Angie Craig (MN-02) is the Ranking Democratic Member of the House Agriculture Committee.

“By declaring a worldwide trade war, the administration is hurting American farmers, workers, and consumers. Increasing input costs, shutting farmers out of export markets, and causing middle-class families to pay more at the grocery store is not a winning strategy,” Craig said. “Starting trade wars puts family farmers in the crosshairs for retaliation. In 2018, the Trump Administration’s trade wars cost our farmers $30 billion in lost exports. The tariffs announced today are broader than in 2018 and come as farmers struggle with widespread uncertainty. The losses from this trade war will force farms to close.”

Rep. Tony Wied

Wisconsin Republican Tony Wied (WI-08) is a member of the House Ag Committee.

“President Trump has made it clear with these reciprocal tariffs that we will no longer allow other countries to take advantage of us,” Wied said. “His goal is simple: to bring jobs and manufacturing back to our country and open up foreign markets to American products. If companies want to avoid these tariffs, they will do business in the United States. I applaud the President for taking a stand against years of unfair trade practices and making sure we put American workers and consumers first. It’s time our foreign trading partners finally live up to their end of the bargain.”

Rep. Sharice Davids

Davids is a Kansas Democrat (KS-03) is a member of the House Ag Committee.

“I agree that America must stay competitive globally, but Kansans are already feeling the squeeze — and now they’ll have to foot the bill for President Trump’s reckless tariffs,” said Davids. “His trade policies are driving up grocery costs, forcing Kansas businesses to close, and cutting off markets for our farmers. Instead of supporting hardworking folks, he continues to push policies — including cuts to Social Security and Medicare — that benefit big corporations and his billionaire friends. That’s unacceptable. I’m focused on pursuing smart trade agreements that strengthen American industries without putting jobs and small businesses at risk.”

Rep. Andrea Salinas

Oregon Democrat Andrea Salinas (OR-06) is a member of the House Ag Committee.

“President Trump’s on-again, off-again approach to tariffs has created chaos and uncertainty across the country, and today’s announcement only adds more fuel to the fire,” said Salinas. “Trump’s tariffs could eliminate countless jobs, drastically increase the price of gas and groceries, and send our country spiraling toward an economic crisis. At their core, these are massive taxes that are going to be paid by small business owners and families in Oregon and across America. Whether you’re a winemaker in the Willamette Valley or a busy mom in the Fred Meyer checkout line, working Americans – not foreign countries – will be footing the bill for President Trump’s recklessness.

“Once again, I am calling on the Administration to immediately reverse course. If they fail to do so, Congress must take action to reclaim the ‘power of the purse’ as outlined in the Constitution. It is the legislative branch’s job to set tax and trade policies, not the President’s – and we must use every tool at our disposal to protect American workers and families from these disastrous tariffs.”

State Politicians

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds

Kim Reynolds, the Republican Iowa governor, is a Trump proponent.

“The Biden Administration consistently ignored the needs of Iowa farmers,” Reynolds said. “They failed to deliver a Farm Bill, refused to expand market access, and turned a balanced ag trade situation into a shocking $50 billion deficit. Instead of standing up to countries like Brazil, Biden chose to reward them — importing more ethanol after they slapped tariffs on ours.

“President Trump is using tariffs as leverage — to force our trading partners to the table and put America’s farmers first. My job is to protect Iowans, and I’m working directly with the administration to ease the short-term impact, keep our ag economy strong, and open the door to new export opportunities.”

Political Organizations

Rural USA

The Rural USA political action committee (PAC) is a “grassroots team supporting candidates who prioritize rural values, sustainability, and ensuring rural voices shape national decisions,” according to its Facebook page.

“As President Trump prepares to once again impose sweeping tariffs on America’s trading partners, it’s rural America—and especially the very people who voted for him—who will pay the highest price,” said Rural USA PAC President Chris Gibbs, a farmer from west central Ohio with a corn, soybeans, alfalfa, and cow/calf operation. “In the middle of a deepening farm economy crisis, this couldn’t come at a worse time. Input costs are already sky-high, and these tariffs will only push them further out of reach.”

“From fertilizer to machinery, everything farmers need to stay afloat will get more expensive. At the same time, we can expect the same kind of retaliation we saw during the last trade war—foreign tariffs aimed squarely at our farmers and ranchers. The end result? More family farms pushed to the brink. Many will simply have to fold,” Gibbs continued. 

“We’ve seen this movie before, and we know how it ends. American farmers lose markets they spent decades building. Global buyers turn to South America or elsewhere, and those lost markets don’t come back overnight—if they come back at all. The damage is real, and it’s lasting.

“Rural Voices USA PAC is going to stand up and give these rural Americans the opportunity to speak up. In the coming weeks and months, we will be launching a special testimonial project to lift up the real stories of rural Americans — farmers, ranchers, small business owners — who will be hurt not just by these tariffs, but also by ongoing cuts to USDA programs that are supposed to support them in tough times. Their voices need to be heard. Because rural America deserves better than being used as a political pawn and left to clean up the mess afterward.”