CAPTS Economist Shares Insights on Agricultural Exports

Carlos Zurita, senior research economist with NDSU’s Center for Agricultural Policy and Trade Studies, recently shared his co-authored research during a presentation at South Dakota State University’s Ness School of Management and Economics.

His presentation, titled "U.S. Trade Policy Shifts: Potential Implications for Agricultural Exports," was part of a two-part series exploring the implications of retaliatory tariffs on U.S. agriculture.

On Feb. 24, Zurita addressed SDSU faculty members and graduate students, leading a discussion on how U.S. agricultural exports could shift under retaliatory and reciprocal tariff scenarios. The conversation focused on which agriculture industries would be most affected and how trade could be redirected to minimize negative impacts.

The second presentation on March 21 targeted South Dakota farmers, ranchers and business leaders, focusing on the practical implications of this research for regional agriculture.

“Our work quantifies how U.S. agricultural exports would reallocate if key trade partners, such as Canada, China and Mexico, impose retaliatory tariffs,” Zurita said. “Interestingly, we observe that retaliation may not be the best option for these partners, as it could reduce their exports more than scenarios without retaliation.”

The research utilizes a state-of-the-art trade model to analyze these effects, offering key insights into market disruptions and economic impacts. It also considers the broader implications of reciprocal tariffs, highlighting their role in ongoing trade discussions.

Zurita observed strong engagement during his presentations, with faculty showing interest in follow-up updates as the research advances. 

“The questions and feedback we received highlight the relevance of this work for both academia and industry,” he said.

This research underscores the Center’s dedication to addressing pressing trade and policy issues and providing actionable insights for policymakers and agricultural stakeholders.