“Liberation Day” has arrived – a day President Donald Trump says the U.S. fights back against countries that impose tariffs and restrictions on American products.
Northern Missouri Congressman Sam Graves, who not only represents agricultural interests but also farms himself, worries about how increased tariffs will impact agriculture. Yet, Graves said threatened tariffs brought Canada and Mexico to the negotiation table.
“I think, you know, just being tough on this stuff, it’ll bring countries right back to the table. And again, our two biggest trading partners are at the table. So, I think it’s all going to work out,” Graves told Missourinet affiliate KFEQ in St. Joseph.
Trump is adamant that the United States has been shortchanged in trade deals.
“You know, the President’s for free trade, and I think we all are for free and open trade. But just by putting this out there, we’ve already got two of our biggest trading partners, you know, back at the table and they’re trying to fix this,” he said.
The president insists that the U.S. must liberate itself from trade imbalances. Despite concerns from the agriculture community, Graves believes America can win the trade war.
“You know, you always worry about that a little bit,” said Graves. “But I think we’re, you know, we have to, we have to see what happens and, and obviously, that’s my livelihood is, is farming and, and obviously we depend heavily on, on exports.”
China and the European Union have announced higher tariffs on U.S. goods, especially certain agricultural imports.
Brent Martin, of KFEQ Radio in St. Joseph, contributed this story.
Copyright © 2025 · Missourinet