Senator Elissa Slotkin, a Democrat from Michigan, has expressed concerns about the potential impact of President Donald Trump's proposed tariffs on American farmers. Trump's economic plan includes imposing tariffs ranging from 10% to 20% on all imported goods. Previous tariff implementations by the Trump administration led to retaliatory tariffs from China, resulting in significant financial losses for the U.S. government, which had to provide billions of dollars in aid to farmers.
During a confirmation hearing for Brooke Rollins, Trump's nominee to lead the Department of Agriculture, Slotkin highlighted the fears among farmers regarding the new tariff proposals. Slotkin emphasized the potential negative consequences of tariffs, particularly in trade relations with countries like Canada and Mexico.
Slotkin urged Rollins to prioritize the interests of farmers and ensure that any decisions related to tariffs are thoroughly evaluated for their impact on the agricultural community. She emphasized the need for a comprehensive assessment of the implications of tariffs on farmers, drawing from past experiences where such considerations were lacking.
In response, Rollins assured Slotkin of her commitment to actively engage with agricultural communities and ensure their representation in discussions related to tariffs. Rollins pledged to work diligently and around the clock to safeguard the interests of farmers and ensure that their voices are heard in policy decisions.
