American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall has expressed concerns following President Trump's announcement of reciprocal tariffs on trading partners. In a statement, Duvall emphasized the importance of trade for American farmers and ranchers, noting that "trade is critical to the success of farmers and ranchers across the country."
Duvall acknowledged the administration's goal of creating a level playing field internationally but warned that increased tariffs could threaten the economic sustainability of farmers. He pointed out that farmers have experienced financial losses on most major crops over the past three years.
According to Duvall, more than 20% of farm income is derived from exports, while imports are essential for supplies like fertilizer and specialized tools. He said, "Tariffs will drive up the cost of critical supplies, and retaliatory tariffs will make American-grown products more expensive globally." This situation not only affects short-term competitiveness but could also lead to long-term market share losses.
Duvall urged the administration to resolve trade disagreements swiftly to avoid placing farmers in a vulnerable position due to retaliatory measures. He advocated for strategies that would expand market opportunities for American farmers and ranchers.
For further information, media inquiries can be directed to Mike Tomko, Director of Communications at (202) 406-3642 or via email at miket@fb.org. Bailey Corwine, Media Relations Specialist, can also be contacted at (202) 406-3643 or baileyc@fb.org.
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