Chinese tariffs could be bad news for Pa. pig farmers
(Harrisburg) — China is retaliating against tariffs imposed by the Trump Administration and Pennsylvania farmers could get caught in the crossfire.
The Chinese government announced plans to levy a 25 percent tax on more than 100 American exports–including agricultural products, like pork.
The Pennsylvania Farm Bureau says pig farmers would be hit particularly hard, since they sell about $3.5 million worth of pork to China every year.
“And the bottom line with this is,” said spokesman Mark O’Neill, “if China decides to buy less pork or get its pork from somewhere else, then that would create more of a supply here in the United States, and that would mean lower paychecks for our pork producers.”
He adds it’s already a stressful time to be a farmer.
“Farm income across a wide variety of commodities has been down for three years in a row and things are not looking good in this year as well,” O’Neill said.
O’Neill says agricultural jobs could be lost if the tariffs remain in place long-term, causing a ripple effect on the commonwealth’s economy.
China ranks fifth among countries that take in Pennsylvania exports.
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