Last Updated on 4 weeks by Ashley Michael
China’s latest round of retaliatory tariffs has dealt a heavy blow to American farmers, making U.S.-grown crops more expensive in one of their biggest markets. The new tariffs, which took effect on Monday, come in response to President Donald Trump’s decision to impose an additional 10% tariff on Chinese goods.
Under China’s countermeasures, U.S. farmers now face:
✅ 15% tariffs on chicken, wheat, and corn
✅ 10% tariffs on soybeans, pork, beef, and fruit
With American agricultural products now more expensive in China, local buyers are expected to turn to cheaper alternatives from other countries.
U.S. Farmers Feel the Impact
Virginia-based farmer John Boyd Jr., president of the National Black Farmers Association, told CBS MoneyWatch that the trade war is creating major uncertainty for farmers.
“You are really shaking at the root of all the major commodities that we produce in the U.S. because we are a market-driven industry,” Boyd said.
Nick Levendofsky, executive director of the Kansas Farmers Union, echoed those concerns, saying that while farmers knew Trump might target major U.S. trade partners, there was little they could do to prepare.
“Farmers tend to be the ones that get hit first and hardest in a trade war,” Levendofsky told CBS. “We take the brunt of this and get a black eye or busted nose.”
Beyond the direct impact on farmers, the ripple effects of the trade war are being felt across rural communities. Farmers are already dealing with high operational costs, from seeds and fertilizers to fuel and equipment. At the same time, commodity prices remain low.
For now, shipments that left the U.S. before Monday and arrive in China by April 12 won’t be subject to the new tariffs, but after that, the full impact of the trade war will hit. According to CBS News
📌 Read the full article on CBS News