The National Association of Egg Farmers has written to U.S. President Donald Trump, asking him to postpone his plans to place a 5 percent tariff on all goods from Mexico.
The tariff plan, which Trump announced on May 30, is a way to pressure Mexico to take a more aggressive stance on border security. The tariffs are set to take effect on June 10.
The association, while acknowledging the president’s frustration over immigration issues, stressed that the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) could be ratified soon, and the implementation on tariffs could jeopardize ratification of USMCA.
The letter, signed by Ken Klippen, the association’s president, reads: “On behalf of the members of the National Association of Egg Farmers, we ask that you to delay implementing a five percent tariff on all goods imported from Mexico starting June 10, 2019. We understand and appreciate your frustration over the immigration issue, but we are greatly concerned this new tariff may negatively impact the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement. This association and others have urged ratification by the Congress and sense this may soon occur. Would a delay demonstrate compromise with the Mexican authorities without distracting from your objective in seeking a solution to the immigration crisis?”
Trump has also been asked by some members of Congress to rethink the tariff plan.
Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, is a member of the Senate Committee for Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry and she expressed worries about the tariff plan. While acknowledging that illegal immigration is a problem and that Mexico needs to step up its efforts, Ernst, in a statement, said the tariffs don’t seem to be the best maneuver.
“The livelihoods of Iowa farmers and producers are at stake. The USMCA would provide much-needed certainty to our agriculture community, at a time when they need it,” said Ernst. “If the president goes through with this, I’m afraid progress to get this trade agreement across the finish line will be stifled. While I support the need for comprehensive border security and a permanent fix to illegal immigration, this isn’t the right path forward. I’m asking the president to reconsider, and for Democrats to work with us to find a solution to the humanitarian crisis at our southern border.
