WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) — Our coverage extends to President Donald Trump’s tariffs imposed on all imports and their effects on various sectors, enterprises, and individuals.
The president stated that the tariffs would lead to an invigorated domestic economy with goods being manufactured and purchased within the country. However, new worries emerged on Friday when Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell warned that these tariffs could cause prolonged economic distress, such as increased inflation and reduced growth.
Additionally, on Friday, China declared a retaliatory tariff of 34% on all American products. This move is expected to affect farmers in Kansas.
Ken Ott resides close to Mulvane and cultivates corn and soybeans. Given that multiple South American nations also grow soybeans and pose significant competition for the U.S., as a member of the Kansas Farm Bureau, he worries about potentially falling behind in the marketplace.
“A little over a year back, I had the opportunity to visit Brazil and observe the developments in South America. The nation boasts abundant resources, making it quite remarkable. It will likely become an even tougher rival for us moving forward,” remarked Ott.
The farmer from south-central Kansas mentioned that he gladly cast his vote for Trump. Although generally supportive during what has been referred to as the president's second term, he noted that the tariffs might affect numerous farmers quite severely.
"I get that he wants to revive our industry here in the U.S., so we produce more of what we use. But since a significant part of our output is sent abroad, this approach feels like it’s targeting a sensitive area for us farmers," Ott explained.
On Friday, 12 News contacted Kansas' congressional representatives in Washington, D.C., regarding the tariffs and their effects on agricultural producers within the state. Both of the state's Republican senators along with the four House members—threeRepublicans and one Democrat—are stressing the significance of backing Kansas farmers.
In response to queries from 12 News,Senator Jerry Moran issued the following statement to address the economic issue:
Both Congress and the administration should strive to guarantee that American manufacturers face fair competition and prevent U.S. employment from suffering due to unfair trade practices employed by other nations. Nevertheless, when America imposes tariffs, those affected sometimes respond with similar levies targeted particularly towards our farming community. These retaliatory duties can result in lost opportunities within international agriculture sectors. It’s my hope that such taxes achieve their intended goals swiftly; thereafter, they could either be reduced or removed as needed. The current situation poses significant challenges for American agricultural producers who require increased market access rather than restricted ones.
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