A former high-ranking USDA official in the Trump administration who now leads the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture is concerned that former Donald Trump's proposal to raise tariffs could hurt farmers.
“There is a lot of news about the intent to go after tariffs, in a big way, and I don't think that would help agriculture. I really don't,” said Ted McKinney, CEO of NASDA and former USDA trade undersecretary. Trump has called for implementing an across-the-board tariff on imports, if he wins a second term.
“We saw that with some lost market share last time, even though I think farmers were kept whole for the interim,” said McKinney, referring to the trade war with China during Trump's administration.
The trade war aside, McKinney believes Trump was “pretty good to agriculture” and kept the industry “whole.” He does believe another Trump administration would steer agriculture into a heavily trade-focused agenda.
“He's got a good sense, a good gut sense on this kind of thing. And I think, in some way, shape or form, I think we'll get back into the trade business pending decisions on tariffs.”
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When looking at trade priorities for 2024, McKinney says there are short and long term goals that need to be addressed. The first is using the World Trade Organization to make sure international rules are followed.
“If we don't have a WTO, and rules of the road, my gosh, it just becomes who's got the most muscle and who can flex that muscle,” said McKinney.
He also said the U.S. needs to diversify its export markets for ag products, citing India as a country with significant potential. “At some point I think India has to recognize they've got to trade," he said.
Mary Kay Thatcher, senior manager of federal government and industry relations with Syngenta, and Anne MacMillan, principal at Invariant, were also on this week’s Agri-Pulse Newsmakers to further discuss the appropriations process and the farm bill timeline.
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