Massive tariffs are what Donald Trump proclaims will solve all our economic and manufacturing woes. Nothing could be further from the truth. The tariffs he imposed when president spurred trade wars and led to higher consumer prices, inflation and punitive tariffs placed on American exports, starting with agricultural commodities.
This led to the Commodity Credit Corp. paying out over $28 billion to farmers to cover the losses they incurred from these tariffs. In 2019 and 2020, this amounted to one-third of the total farm income. This is not sustainable or the way that we farmers wish to earn our income.
Additionally, Trump wants to deport millions of immigrants. Eighty-six percent of agricultural workers are foreign born, with 48% being undocumented. With this proposed mass deportation, who is going to plant and harvest all those fruits and vegetables, who is going to milk the cows — the jobs that these people are so willingly and capably preforming? They are doing jobs that our American patriots will not do. What will happen to food prices, new housing construction and our economy then?
The Harris-Walz team realizes the impact of tariffs and immigration on Americans’ daily lives and will work to solve the problems we are facing with a responsible and commonsense approach that will further strengthen our economy and control inflation. I urge you to keep this in mind when you cast your ballot this year.
Harold Shaulis
Somerset