MN Farmers Union Pres. Slams Tariffs: Farmers’ Livelihood 'Not A Game'

MINNESOTA — Farmers in Minnesota and across the country are already facing increasing financial strain due to high input costs and low commodity prices.

And according to Minnesota Farmers Union President Gary Wertish, newly proposed tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China could further squeeze farmers by raising costs and limiting export opportunities.

Wertish has served as Minnesota Farmers Union President since his election in 2017. A lifelong farmer, he still helps his son operate the family farm near Renville.

"With the President putting on tariffs and starting another trade war, that will hit farmers hard, by raising their input costs and putting downward pressure on the prices for their commodities," Wertish told Patch on Friday.

Wertish pointed to the impact of past tariffs, particularly those imposed on China in 2018, which significantly affected the soybean market.

"When he put the tariffs on China during his first term in 2018, it hit soybeans the hardest. That encouraged Brazilian and Argentinian farmers to plant more soybeans, those acres are not going away," he said.

As a result, China has since shifted more of its purchases to South America and invested in infrastructure in other countries, making the U.S. a less dominant supplier.

"We are exporting less soybeans to China now than before he put on the tariffs and started his trade war," Wertish noted.

The long-term concern, according to Wertish, is that the U.S. may lose its reputation as a reliable trading partner. Farmers, he said, have spent decades building up these export markets, and trade disruptions could make it difficult to regain trust.

"This will drive some farmers off the farm, and where does this end with retaliatory tariffs being put on back and forth between the countries?" Wertish said. "With all the uncertainty facing farmers, they don’t need this on their plates. This is farmers’ livelihood, not a game."

Broader Impact on Farmers

Farmers already struggle with the rising costs of fertilizer, fuel, and equipment. Market disruptions caused by trade conflicts add another layer of unpredictability to an already volatile industry.

Some industry experts warn that if tariffs escalate, it could lead to further economic hardship in rural communities dependent on agriculture.

While proponents of tariffs argue that they help protect American industries from unfair foreign competition, opponents say they often result in higher costs for producers and reduced access to key markets.

For Minnesota farmers, particularly those reliant on exports, the stakes are high as trade policies continue to evolve.

The Trump administration has argued inflation will not be as bad as economists claim, saying tariffs can motivate foreign companies to open factories in the United States.

On his Truth Social platform Monday, Trump told farmers: “To the Great Farmers of the United States: Get ready to start making a lot of agricultural product to be sold INSIDE of the United States,” he wrote. “Tariffs will go on external products on April 2nd. Have fun!”