HAMPTON, Iowa- Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Naig, was in our area Friday where he toured Sukup Manufacturing and the Franklin Rural Electric Co-Op. The visit comes after the United States is on the verge of a trade war.
President Trump is threatening another $100 billion in tariffs against Chinese goods and China retaliated announcing $50 billion of US products including pork, beef, soybeans, corn and aircrafts.
Secretary Naig said he is already hearing from farmers who are feeling the impacts and says the effects of this are far reaching.
“Even though these tariffs don’t kick in for a few weeks, our market reacts in real time,” Said Secretary Naig. “The reality of it is that we have turbulence in the market place while these negotiations are going on.”
Secretary Naig said it doesn’t hurt that former Governor Terry Brandstad is now the Ambassador of China. He said he hopes Ambassador Branstad can relieve some of the tensions.