Looming trade war with China worries Carolina farmers

INDIAN TRAIL, North Carolina — Soybean and fruit crops across the United States are in danger as a looming trade war with China begins to make farmers, and people working in other major industries in the Carolinas, very nervous.

Robb Thorstenson, who owns Wise Acres Organic Farm in Indian Trail, sells everything he grows in the Carolinas.

His uncle sells almost all of his crops to China, and would be impacted if a trade war were to begin.

[China targets $3 billion of US goods in tariff spat]

“I grew up from a trading background, and trade wars are not easy to win,” Thorstenson said. “(My uncle) is a soybean farmer. He's nervous. He's concerned about the bottom line.”

On Thursday, President Trump set in motion tariffs on Chinese imports to the United States.

China responded with proposed tariffs that would hit U.S. products, such as pork, steel and aluminum pipes. Overall, $3 billion worth of goods annually would be affected.

Officials with Charlotte-based Nucor Steel have indicated support for Trump’s proposed tariffs on China steel, but the retaliation could hit other U.S. exports from North Carolina.

Members of the North Carolina Pork Council said they are closely watching developments.

"When government actions like this start to impact the trade, it is very concerning,” said Curliss, with the North Carolina Pork Council.

North Carolina's pork industry does not trade extensively with China, but it does support free trade.

Thorstenson believes everyday people usually end up paying higher prices somewhere during trade wars.

“I don't think anybody wins,” Thorstenson said. “I hope they find a way to figure it out without tariffs and without trade wars.”

China has indicated a willingness to negotiate a settlement before the situation escalates to full-blown trade war.

Cox Media Group