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Corn growers association calls on members to tell administration a penny a bushel won't cover trade war losses.

Compiled by staff

May 15, 2019

3 Min Read
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The National Corn Growers Association is calling on members to tell President Trump that #apennywontcutit.

On May 10, the Trump administration raised the tariff on $200 billion of Chinese goods to 25%. China retaliated by raising duties on U.S. products. Later in the day, the administration announced it will put together another package of trade aid for farmers, who have been caught in the crosshairs of the trade war.

Related: Trump raises Chinese tariffs to 25%

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During the initial round of trade aid, the bulk of the payments went to pork and soybean producers. Corn producers received a penny a bushel.

“A penny didn’t cut it then and won’t cut it now,” a call to action on the NCGA website reads. “Tell the president that one penny won’t provide the market certainty that farmers need to stay afloat during these challenging times.”

Related: Trump displays preference for tariffs over deals

Others are weighing in too

The Minnesota Agri-Growth Council said tariffs always hit agriculture the hardest because of its dependence on foreign markets.

“This is not rhetoric, this is not hyperbole – these are dire times for farmers and these latest tariffs are a gut punch for an industry that is already down on one knee,” said Minnesota AgriGrowth Council Executive Director Tamara Nelson. “The Trump administration and our trade negotiators need to recognize the heartbreak in the Heartland and address this and other critical trade agreements now, or there may not be another planting season for many Minnesota farmers.”

Related: ASA: Soybean growers are losers in Trump-China trade war

National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson expressed appreciation for the administration’s efforts to help farmers and ranchers suffering the impacts of the trade war, but added the financial challenges “cannot be overstated.”

“Though China’s tariffs have specifically targeted soybeans, pork, and sorghum, many other commodities have been impacted, both directly and indirectly,” Johnson said. “We ask that trade assistance be offered to producers of all affected commodities, and that payment rates be based on historical production. In addition, we recommend that the USDA address the growing problem of oversupply by providing farmers with incentives to reduce overall production.”

In a letter to President Trump, American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall said the six-year downturn in farm prices is worsening as a result of Chinese tariffs.

“We ask that your trade negotiators make a deal as soon as possible to end the tariffs that are slashing our exports, destroying a once-promising market for agriculture, worsening the farm economy, and contributing to high levels of stress and uncertainty for many farm and ranch families and other Americans whose jobs are connected to agricultural production,” Duvall said.

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