NYFB Statement: Tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China

The following statement can be attributed to New York Farm Bureau:

“New York Farm Bureau, the state’s largest general agricultural advocacy organization, has significant concerns regarding the new tariffs levied against Canada, Mexico and China and the resulting retaliatory measures from those countries. While our policy supports fair trade and creating additional markets for our farmers, some of our farmers are reporting that these retaliatory measures are already impacting their farms.

“According to the Office of the United States Trade Representative, New York exported over $2 billion in domestic agricultural products in 2022, with our largest exports being dairy products, other plant products, corn, soybeans and feed grains. We have heard from several members that their products are already being pulled off shelves, or are threatened to be pulled off shelves, in Canada.

“The strength of our agricultural community in New York comes, in large part, from the diversity of products we grow and produce here. While we appreciate the one-month delay in implementing tariffs from Canada and Mexico, our concerns still stand.

“We respectfully request that the agricultural community, both in New York and in the greater United States, be top of mind when creating trade policy initiatives. At a time when our farmers continue to operate on razor-thin margins, we ask that Congress take any step necessary to protect them from retaliatory tariff measures, and, instead, create new market opportunities.”

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New York Farm Bureau is the state’s largest general agricultural advocacy organization. Its members and the public know the organization as “The Voice of New York Agriculture.” New York Farm Bureau is dedicated to solving the economic and public policy issues challenging the agricultural community.