Joni_Ernst_Official_photo_portrait_114th_CongressWith the tariffs and potential trade wars brewing around the world, more and more politicians are weighing in on the topic.

US Senator Joni Ernst made a trip to Bauer Built in Paton last week and Raccoon Valley Radio asked her about President Donald Trump’s steel and aluminium tariffs. She claims she’s seen the costs for manufacturers be driven up by 50-percent, which can be hurtful, but not for the manufacturer or farm implement dealer as long as they are able to move their product. She adds that it becomes hurtful for the end-user, or the individual or company that purchases the item from the manufacturer or implement dealer.

“But again President Trump is trying to encourage more manufacturing here in the United States, and it seems to be working, at least for the case in Bauer Built. And I do support the President in his goal of getting better trade deals and encouraging better American manufacturing, I think that’s really noble and that should’ve been done a long time ago.”

As for farmers, Ernst says her discussions with them this past week have been in favor of President Trump and trying to force China to be a better trading partner.

“I’ve had people express they’ve had shipments of commodities that have been going over to China and in the middle of the ocean the Chinese will say, ‘We’re not going to accept your shipment.’ They understand how bad they’ve been treated. And so they want it straightened out and they believe, go through the pain now and in the future China will be a better trade partner.”

Ernst is optimistic that something positive will come out of trade talks with China, but she is urging President Trump to resolve them quickly in light of the farming economy hurting in Iowa.