Statement from the Illinois Farm Bureau Regarding
Tariff Increase on Chinese Imports
The following is a statement from Illinois Farm Bureau (IFB) President Richard Guebert, Jr., regarding the recent tariff increase on Chinese imports.
“The Illinois Farm Bureau is disappointed in the breakdown of the negotiations between China and the U.S. to address long standing trade issues between the two nations. We are also deeply concerned about the imposition of the retaliatory tariffs that could further impact agriculture.
“Tariffs historically have not been good for the farm economy. Farmers are on the front lines of this trade war and are sacrificing their livelihoods and it hasn’t gotten better. We are sitting on a huge inventory of grain while our export markets are diminishing.
“Corn and soybean prices are depressed, combined with a delayed 2019 planting season due to heavy rains, and farmers are facing their sixth straight year of declining net farm income.
“If this trade uncertainty lingers, we will certainly be looking to the Trump Administration for another round of market facilitation payments.
“Farmers continue to bear the brunt of the trade wars.”
The Illinois Farm Bureau is a member of the American Farm Bureau Federation, a national organization of farmers and ranchers. Founded in 1916, IFB is a non-profit, membership organization directed by farmers who join through their county Farm Bureau. IFB has a total membership of more than 394,742 and a voting membership of 78,999. IFB represents three out of four Illinois farmers.
