Colorado potato farmers fear export setbacks under new U.S. trade policies

Colorado’s agricultural producers are facing concerns as new U.S. policies could make it harder to export key crops like potatoes. While a delay in tariffs previously offered some relief, a new Trump administration proposal to charge hefty fees on Chinese-built cargo ships is raising alarms — especially among farmers who rely on overseas markets.

The plan aims to boost U.S. shipbuilding by discouraging the use of foreign vessels. However, with only a small number of U.S.-flagged ships currently available, exporters say the fees could push up costs and make American goods less competitive abroad.

Potato growers in southern Colorado also fear fallout from potential tariffs on exports to Mexico — a market they spent decades opening. Losing that trade could mean millions of pounds of unsold produce, with few options to absorb the surplus.

Farmers across the board are uneasy about possible labor shortages tied to immigration policy shifts. Without enough farmworkers, they warn, crops could go unharvested and food security could suffer.

As policies evolve, Colorado’s agricultural community is urging a balanced approach that supports domestic industries without putting exports at risk.

source: coloradosun.com

photo: foodsmartcolorado.colostate.edu