Wisconsin farmers fear for future

As America's trading partners joust regarding tariffs in a feud begun by President Donald Trump shortly after he took office, Wisconsin farmers say they fear the repercussions on their livelihoods.

Wis. Sen. Brad Pfaff, D-Onalaska, was joined March 10 by several local farmers at Rodger and Carol Schomberg’s farm near Barre Mills, Wisconsin. They were there to discuss the urgency of the situation as Wisconsin’s farm season is just around the corner.

“The people that continue to get up early every single day and make sure that all of us have the food and the fiber that we rely upon as a people and as a nation, they're at risk,” Pfaff said. 

Trump implemented new tariffs on the nation's primary trading partners, then backed off on some of them. The actions left the future of U.S. trade in question as 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico were placed on hold until April. The 20% tariffs on Chinese imports are still in place. And then March 11 Trump doubled tariffs on Canada.

All three countries have promised retaliation, increasing tariffs on U.S. exports, in response to Trump’s demands.

Despite retaliation from the trading partners of the United States, Trump said farmers are "going to have a field day" after an "adjustment period."

"To our farmers, have a lot of fun, I love you too," said Trump during an address to Congress.

The potential impact has worried some Wisconsin farmers.

“Every time that (tariff) is mentioned, the prices for our products that we’re selling, our soybeans, those prices go down,” said Doug Rebout, president of the Wisconsin Soybean Association. “When that happens, it’s not just affecting us on our farm, but it’s also affecting our local communities.”