Wisconsin farmers feed the world. Consumers from around the world enjoy food products that were grown right here on Wisconsin farms. Unfortunately, tariffs and the threat of tariffs will have detrimental effects on our family farmers.
Farmers are used to dealing with uncertainty – whether it is a snowstorm in May or a dry spell that lasts all
summer – they have learned to adapt to survive this difficult business. Farming is worrisome enough, and
farmers are already investing their entire livelihood into their businesses.
What they should not have to worry about is their planning and hard work being erased from a tariff. No
amount of preparation can prevent the damage caused by a price change occurring without warning.
The proposed tariff on agricultural goods would wreak havoc on our family farmers and the communities that rely on them. These tariffs increase costs by raising prices on essential imports like potash, a key ingredient in fertilizer. At a time when farmers are already facing extremely slim profit margins, an unnecessary increase in input costs could put some of our farmers out of business.
Market access is another crucial concern. In 2023 alone, Wisconsin exported nearly $4 billion in agricultural and food products to 142 different countries. Losing access to markets in Canada, Mexico, and China would be devastating to our farmers. Especially so for soybean farmers whose biggest market are international trade partners. In 2018, tariffs against China resulted in significant losses for US soybean producers, and foreign competitors are ready to fill the gap left by reduced US exports. Ensuring stable and fair-trade relationships is crucial for the long-term sustainability of American agriculture, and we cannot lose these vital trade avenues for our farmers.
Tariff Impacts
Not only will these tariffs be felt by farmers, but by the communities they inhabit and the entire Wisconsin
economy. The agricultural industry in Wisconsin contributes $116.3 billion annually to the state economy. It also supports nearly 60,000 farms and food processors, accounting for over 9.5% of the state’s workforce.
Reduced profitability for farmers will lead to job losses and economic decline across Wisconsin. Our rural communities and their economies, which are intertwined with agriculture, will also feel the effects economic decline while Main Streets in Western Wisconsin are trying to make ends meet.
It is important that we continue to rebalance trade and ensure that Wisconsin made products are sold across the globe. I stand ready to work in a bipartisan manner to rebuild our state and nation’s manufacturing sector. However, we cannot do it at the expense of our family farmers.
At the end of the day, a tariff on agricultural goods would be a massive shock to Wisconsin farmers. As well as the broader agricultural community. We need our leaders in Washington to heed this warning, end the threats of tariffs, and work to find solutions that support our farmers and ensure the continued prosperity of Wisconsin’s agricultural sector.
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