Statement by Steve Nelson, President, Regarding New Tariffs on Chinese Products
LINCOLN, NEB. – “Today’s action by the Trump administration to move forward with $50 billion worth of tariffs on Chinese products continues to raise substantial concerns throughout the entire agricultural community. We have major issues in our trading relationship with China, and we fear today’s action will only amplify those problems.”
“Preliminary Nebraska Farm Bureau (NEFB) analysis shows on a per unit basis, Nebraska’s export relationship with China in 2016 amounted to $2.29/bushel for soybeans, $26.36/head for beef (hides & skins), and $3.82 per head for pork. These figures are quite significant to the overall dollar amount farmers and ranchers receive for these commodities.”
“On a per Nebraska county basis, Cuming County, generates roughly $26 million because of agricultural trade with China. Furthermore, eight counties exceed $20 million in terms of value of exports to China and 41 counties exceed $10 million. The average export value to China across all counties is $9.4 million.”
“On a per farm basis, Phelps County generates the most from trade with China at $47,332 per farm; 17 counties exceed $25,000 per farm in terms of export value to China. The average export value to China per farm across all counties is about $16,600. “
“While the entirety of the U.S./China trading relationship won’t disappear overnight, these actions will have significant consequences which have the potential to greatly damage farm and ranch families for years to come.”
The Nebraska Farm Bureau is a grassroots, state-wide organization dedicated to supporting farm and ranch families and working for the benefit of all Nebraskans through a wide variety of educational, service and advocacy efforts. More than 61,000 families across Nebraska are Farm Bureau members, working together to achieve rural and urban prosperity as agriculture is a key fuel to Nebraska’s economy. For more information about Nebraska Farm Bureau and agriculture, visit www.nefb.org.
