Heitkamp: With Exports Plummeting, ND Edible Bean Growers Need Relief from Trade War

U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp Wednesday urged the administration to push the European Union (EU) to drop retaliatory tariffs on U.S. agricultural products like edible beans as they move forward with negotiations for a new free trade agreement.

“The administration’s trade war isn’t just hurting soybean farmers – retaliatory tariffs are putting North Dakota edible bean producers at risk and decreasing their exports, a bad sign for our weakening farm economy,” Heitkamp said. “As the administration begins the process of negotiating a new trade agreement with the EU, they must do so in a way that addresses the concerns of agriculture and protects American workers. With farmers already looking with concern toward 2019, there’s no time to waste – we need these issues addressed quickly to protect our farmers, markets for our goods, and the rural communities that rely on a strong ag economy.”