NCGA Calls for Resolution to Trade Conflict

President Trump announced this week that the United States will impose reciprocal tariffs on its trading partners. In response to this announcement, Illinois farmer and National Corn Growers Association President Kenneth Hartman Jr. released the following statement:

"Approximately 15% of the U.S. corn crop is exported every year, and international markets are critical to our bottom line. So, we are aware of the potential effects that these new tariffs could have on corn growers who are already faced with a troubling economic landscape. We encourage productive negotiations and have supplied the administration with ideas for removing barriers to U.S. corn, ethanol and other corn products as a path to help rectify trade imbalances and help corn growers be more competitive.

"Brazil, for example, could eliminate the 18% tariffs it puts on imports of ethanol, which is a particularly egregious practice and one that we are pleased to see the president address. The country should move to quickly come to the negotiating table so that it can rectify this situation."