How will President Trump’s tariffs affect Nebraska? Lincoln locals weigh in
LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – President Donald Trump on Saturday made good on his promise to impose tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China.
Local Nebraska officials are now weighing in on how these tariffs can affect farmers and business in the state.
According to the Nebraska Farm Bureau, those three countries alone purchased 95% of Nebraska’s corn exports, 90% of soybean exports, 57% of soybean meal exports, 32% of pork exports and 23% of beef exports.
Outside of exports, 80% of the potash fertilizer used in the United States comes from Canada.
A statement released by Nebraska Farm Bureau, reads in part:
“It is no secret Nebraska’s farm and ranch families are heavily dependent upon international customers for one third of their annual income. Nebraska’s exports of our top five agricultural products accounted for over $3.5 billion in 2024. Today’s announced tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China, some of Nebraska agriculture’s most important trading partners, only adds to the economic uncertainty which remains the top concern at dinner tables on farms and ranches across our state and nation.”
Jason Ball, the President and CEO of the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, told Channel 8 that these tariffs will affect everyone’s wallets very heavily.
“I think everyone in Lincoln should have concerns,” said Ball. “Lincoln will not be insulated from these impacts. I don’t think there’s going to be any corner of the economy that won’t be impacted. Not only will this be an important issue for the cost of raw materials that Lincoln businesses need to buy and products they need to have to remain competitive, but I think it’s going to be a kitchen table issue that’s going to hit home as well.”
Paula Peterson, a local farmer, says she believes this will ultimately affect every aspect of agriculture.
“In the history that I know of, it’s never helped us,” she said. “I realize that the President thinks it’s a bargaining tool but I think we’re going to be the ones hit with it. You’re going to see our input prices go up from everything, to the parts that we need to repair the equipment we have, to the fertilizers that we use to get the crops in this year.”
They are calling on President Trump to make good on his promise of expanding agriculturally focused trade agreements.
“There are going to be some hard decisions ahead for families if this scenario continues to play out like it has,” Ball said. “There are better ways to approach trade policy that don’t end up raising the cost of the product that you buy from overseas. That’s what the Lincoln Chamber is advocating for and that’s what we have expressed to our federal delegations. We look forward to working with them to make sure that Nebraska’s voice and Lincoln’s voice is heard in this important policy discussion.”
The Canadian Ambassador has been meeting with the President’s officials. As of right now, these tariffs are set to go into effect on Tuesday at Midnight.
