The Chinese government last night announced it will halt purchases of U.S. agricultural products, in response to President Donald Trump’s escalation of his trade war with China. Financial markets reacted with shock, calling it “massive…on a scale of 1 to 10, it’s an 11.”
Earlier this year, China imposed 25 percent tariffs on many American agricultural products, which has been devastating for many of Florida’s agriculture exports. Today, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried offered the following statement:
“This President is a disaster for American farmers. His tariffs have made our crops less competitive, his trade war has slashed our farmers’ exports, and his new trade agreement does nothing to protect Florida agriculture from Mexico’s illegally-subsidized imports. If the President wants to put America first, then he needs to stop antagonizing our nation’s biggest trade partner, and start helping our farmers compete in the global marketplace.”
Due in part to China’s retaliatory 25 percent tariffs on U.S. products, many of Florida’s agricultural exports to China are down in 2019. So far this year, Florida exports to China have been reduced:
- 34 percent for Florida lobsters
- 79 percent for Florida crabs
- 64 percent for Florida timber, the state’s largest agricultural crop
- 65 percent for Florida fruit and vegetable juice
- 92 percent for Florida processed vegetables
