By Scout Nelson
Nebraska agriculture leaders are raising concerns after new tariffs were announced that could increase farming costs and reduce export opportunities. The baseline 10% tariff on all foreign goods, along with additional tariffs up to 34% on major partners like China, Japan, and the European Union, is expected to impact both ends of the farming cycle.
China quickly responded with a 34% tariff on all U.S. goods, adding pressure to producers already preparing for a difficult growing season. With input costs rising and exports threatened, farmers are expected to face losses across many acres.
“As we get ready to plant our crops here in the next couple of weeks, we are literally putting seeds in the ground that we're probably going to lose money on every acre,” shared a Nebraska farm leader.
While early 2025 forecasts suggested a possible income recovery, the new trade tensions may hurt that outlook. Tariffs on imports are expected to raise costs of fertilizer and equipment, while export barriers reduce returns on crops sold abroad.
“Any products that we buy for the farm, that we are putting the tariff on, it's going to cost us more money,” said the leader. “Any product we sell internationally, which is 30% of our crops, they're going to have to pay us less.”
Some leaders support targeted tariffs for trade fairness but caution against broad measures without clear goals. “Yet, the way that Trump has gone about this, and the methodology that he's used, is far less than clear to anybody.”
The Nebraska Farmers Union plans to meet with federal officials again in May to push for smarter tariff use and a stronger farm bill to protect rural economies.
Photo Credit:gettyimages-shotbydave
Categories: Nebraska, Business