Opposing Viewpoints on Tariffs

President Donald Trump's announcement of reciprocal tariffs on Tuesday, April 2, 2025, which the president dubbed “Liberation Day,” has garnered both support and concern locally, nationally and internationally.Invoking the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 (IEEPA), President Trump's Executive Order includes a 10 percent baseline tariff for all imported goods, with larger tariffs on certain countries (IE China-34 percent, European Union-20 percent).Canada and Mexico are except from these new tariffs as they are subject to prior tariffs. Nebraska LawmakersWhile there have been widespread fears raised of a possible recession, acerbated by a dramatic stock market sell-off immediately following the announcement, the majority of those who represent Nebraska in the House of Representatives and Senate have put their support behind Trump's move.Former Nebraska Governor and current U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts made clear his support in a statement shortly after the tariffs were announced, “President Trump is delivering on his campaign promises to level the playing field and stand up for the American people. Reciprocal tariffs will ensure equal treatment for American businesses. The President is working to restore jobs lost overseas and secure our supply chains. He is working to open new markets for our nation’s agriculture products. He is demonstrating to foreign adversaries like China that we will no longer be taken advantage of.”U.S. Senator Deb Fischer concurred, “Nebraskans rely on strong trade partnerships to sell their products, but unfair practices have created unnecessary obstacles. President Trump is working to remove these obstacles and hold our trade partners accountable. I will continue to encourage the President to pursue equitable trade agreements while also being mindful of the impacts of retaliatory tariffs, especially on Nebraska’s communities.”Congressman Adrian Smith said,“Reducing trade barriers is necessary to ensuring American farmers, ranchers, manufacturers, small businesses, and innovators can sell their products in other markets. President Trump has made it clear other countries can avoid tariffs by reducing or eliminating their existing barriers to U.S. products. Engagement on trade is vital to our economy and opportunity for U.S. workers. In his first term, President Trump proved robust engagement can be productive as he moved the ball down the field on several agreements with our top trade partners. To achieve economic stability, we must continue to fight to give our producers the chance to compete in a global marketplace.”U.S. Congressman Mike Flood said, “Today, President Trump kicked off a new era in America’s trade relationships around the world. In his first term, the President successfully used tariffs to produce great trade deals for the United States. Over the last four years, President Biden had zero major trade deals by the end of his administration. It’s my hope that this strategy results in expanded trade and breaks down barriers quickly so that America can export more of our great products around the world.”Only U.S. Congressman Don Bacon has been critical. In an interview with CNN's Wolf Blitzer, Bacon suggested that decisions on tariffs should not be left to the president, “This power should reside in the House and the Senate. We have the power of the purse, so I think we should restore these authorities back to the House.” FarmersTwo weeks before the new tariffs were implemented, Nebraska Farm Bureau's president, Mark McHargue, pointed out that 90 percent of the corn exported by Nebraska goes to Mexico.“Mexico is critical to our corn market. On the export side, we have developed a system of transportation directly into Mexico for our corn,” said McHargue. “Because I think because it is so critical. I think April 2, maybe those tariffs go into place, but it certainly feels like the administration understands the importance of making sure we get some of this right and that Mexico and Canada both are good trade partners.”American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall has expressed grave concern that these tariffs will ultimately hurt farmers.“Trade is critical to the success of farmers and ranchers across the country. We share the administration’s goal of leveling the playing field with our international partners, but increased tariffs threaten the economic sustainability of farmers who have lost money on most major crops for the past three years,” said Duvall. “More than 20 percent of farm income comes from exports, and farmers rely on imports for crucial supplies like fertilizer and specialized tools. Tariffs will drive up the cost of critical supplies, and retaliatory tariffs will make American-grown products more expensive globally. The combination not only threatens farmers’ competitiveness in the short-term, but it may cause long-term damage by leading to losses in market share.” Duvall said, “We encourage the administration to work toward a swift resolution to trade disagreements to avoid tariffs that put farmers and ranchers in the crosshairs of retaliation, and to pursue strategies that expand market opportunities for the men and women who grow the food every family in America relies on.” Local ImpactEven before the new tariffs were announced, speculation was having an impact at the local level, such as the price of steel. Tuesday morning, Jefferson County Commissioners reviewed bids for culverts. Assistant Highway Superintendent Terry Blas noted that, unusually, “These prices he gave us, are for 30 days.”Blas put that down to the uncertainty about prices in the near future.Commissioner Mark Schoenrock lamented ongoing inflation, “The cost of everything just keeps going up.”“I just got off the phone with the guy from a metal shop this morning, and he's looking for the price of steel to go up 30 to 40 percent,” said Blas. “I'm glad I ordered an extra grader blade. What are they going to cost with the tariff on them? Because they come from Canada.”Steel and aluminum were exempt from the most recent tariffs but a 25 percent U.S. tariff on imports of steel and aluminum from all countries took effect on Wednesday, March 12 of this year.

Child Abuse Prevention Month Recognized at Proclamation Signing

Train Catches Fire in Jansen

Related Articles

Governor Enacts Statewide Burn Ban

Groundwater Report Shows Decline in Eastern Nebraska

Fairbury Plants Trees for Arbor Day

Competing Inheritance Tax Bills Advance