FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – President Trump's plan for reciprocal tariffs could have an impact on nut products, but workers are hopeful the short-term pain will be worth it.
President Trump unveiled his plan for sweeping global tariffs on all imports, a move the White House said will help
protect American jobs and industries.
CEO for the Fresno County Farm Bureau Ryan Jacobsen said while there is concern, he hopes this will help the ag industry in the long term.
"If it does anything, this hopefully will even that playing field to hopefully allow us access to some of these other markets. It could be great for California agricultural produce," Jacobsen said.
Jacobsen said international trade is pivotal for California agriculture, specifically nut products.
"Almonds, about 80%, just shy of 80% of what we produce is actually exported. You take pistachios and so many of these other types of, you know, nut products and other things, those are very dependent upon foreign trade," Jacobsen said.
Farmers like Joe Del Bosque are on standby.
"We are watching to see what might happen, whether these other countries are going to retaliate against the things that we grow," Bosque said.
Bosque said this time of year is slower for California growers, giving farmers time see how much pain is felt in their crops.
"We're done shipping most of our stuff from last year, so our new crop doesn't ship up till the summer. There's time for us to see what that will be," Bosque said.
Farmworkers remain uncertain as to when and if they will see positive effects come out of these sweeping tariffs. ...read more read less