The proposed actions by the US Trade Representative on foreign-built and foreign-flagged ships entering US ports have raised concerns among farmers. Fees up to $1.5 million on ships arriving at US ports, if the ships are Chinese, built, operated or flagged would hit us ag in the wallet. Mike Steenhoek, Executive Director of the Soy Transportation Coalition, said the issue is with how the program would be implemented.
The American Soybean Association estimates that vessels going from the Pacific Northwest to China would see a cost increase up to $12.29 a bushel on soybeans.
Steenhoek also pointed out that farmers are the ultimate Made in America constituency, but they could not withstand an economic blow like that.
Steenhoek said the reaction to the USTR proposal has been overwhelmingly negative. For more information, visit soytransportation.org.
