Tariffs Hurt NW Growers Pt 1

Tariffs Hurt NW Growers Pt 1

Bob Larson
Bob Larson
I'm Bob Larson. Tariffs from our trading partners, in retaliation to recent tariffs imposed by the U.S. on steel and aluminum, is not a comfortable position for farmers and ranchers to be in.

That fact is not lost on Representative Dan Newhouse who has joined a bipartisan Congressional delegation U.S Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer to address the problem now ...

NEWHOUSE ... "I made clear to the administration the consequences of some the actions that were being contemplated. This was predictable. I think, way last March, we talked about that so I think it's very unfortunate that we find ourselves in this situation with these retaliatory tariffs on apples and some of the other very important crops."

Newhouse says northwest producers have as much at stake as anyone ...

NEWHOUSE ... "Washington state is one of the most trade-reliant states in the country and that's something that the administration needs to recognize that the impact of these trade wars is economically very, very serious."

He says the timing couldn't be worse ...

NEWHOUSE ... "... particularly when we are starting our cherry harvest for the year and embarking on the harvest of many other crops here that will soon follow. This is something that we, as a nation and this administration, have to continue negotiating with our critical, important trading partners so that we can get back to business as usual."

This comes as Mexico imposes a 20% tariff on some ag products including apples and potatoes, and China increases tariffs on products like cherries.

Listen tomorrow for more on the negotiations and why a resolution is so important.

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