releases: https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=B3A41D45-24C9-4B42-845E-680661C0FF5E
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=B3A41D45-24C9-4B42-845E-680661C0FF5E | Heitkamp Statement on Escalation of Trade War | 2018-09-17 | 2018 | 2018-09 | Democrat | House | ND | Heidi Heitkamp | H001069 | www.heitkamp.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today issued the following statement after the administration announced it is dramatically escalating its trade war, which is already hurting North Dakota's largest industries and has left North Dakota farmers without any soybean orders from China, which is usually the largest market for North Dakota soybeans. The reckless escalation of the administration's trade war is having serious consequences for rural America, which is already suffering from the uncertainty and low commodity prices caused by the disruptions to our markets, Heitkamp said. Many family farms are afraid they won't be able to pay the bills if this misguided trade war continues. Our ag economy, and the families whose livelihoods depend on it, cannot afford further disruption. There are smart ways to deal with China's cheating on trade but stepping on our farmers is not one of them. Heitkamp has been proactively fighting for smart trade policies to protect North Dakota. She recently outlined concerns to Secretary Perdue that the administration's trade war mitigation assistance for soybean farmers is inadequate because it doesn't take into account the increase in basis the cost of getting a crop to market that farmers are facing. Heitkamp also urged Perdue to consider more assistance for canola, wheat and corn growers, and to ensure FSA offices are adequately staffed to meet increased demand. Heitkamp recently introduced legislation that would take action to help mitigate some damage caused by retaliatory tariffs imposed on U.S. goods. It would direct the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture to direct funds collected by the Treasury from tariffs on imported goods toward trade promotion programs that help U.S. farmers and ranchers, including the Market Access Program (MAP) and Foreign Market Development (FMD). The government has already collected over $3.5 billion from tariffs, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. In July, she introduced legislation to help farmers and ranchers recover losses they face because of the administration's trade war.Her billwould make Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) available at no additional cost to the existing TAA program to farmers and producers whose exports are hurt by retaliatory tariffs caused by the administration's trade policies. Earlier this year, Heitkamp joined U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-TN) leading a bipartisan group of eight other senators in introducing legislation to require congressional approval of tariffs designated for national security reasons. Heitkamp also cosponsored bipartisan legislation introduced by Republican U.S. Senator Jeff Flake from Arizona to nullify the aluminum and steel tariffs. Background: From the beginning of this administration, Heitkamp has been proactively fighting for smart trade policies to protect North Dakota producers by: Pressing top officials since the beginning of this administration to protect and expand markets for North Dakota goods. Heitkamp has met with the U.S. Agriculture Secretary (USDA), U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), U.S Commerce Secretary, and many other top U.S. administration officials many of them several times to explain that the U.S. needs smart trade policies to allow our farmers, ranchers, and manufacturers to reach new markets not tariffs, uncertainty with NAFTA, or hostility toward our top trading partners. Heitkamp recently pushed for improvements to the aid package for farmers suffering from slumping commodity prices and an uncertain future for this season's crop. In February 2017, when she first met with USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue, when he was a nominee for the position, the bulk of their conversation focused on trade. Heitkamp recently pushed Jerome Powell, Chairman of the Federal Reserve, on the impact of the administration's trade war on the U.S. economy. Powell agreed that imposing tariffs over a sustained period time is the wrong thing to do for the economy. Engaging with North Dakota's critical trading partners like Canada and Mexico. In frequent meetings and phone calls with the Mexican and Canadian Ambassadors to the U.S., Heitkamp has worked to protect the trade relationships that keep North Dakotas export-dependent economy thriving. She recently coordinated a meeting between North Dakota farmers and ranchers and the Mexican ambassador to help maintain their trade relationship amid the uncertainty caused by the administration's trade war and NAFTA renegotiation. Introducing legislation to help farmers and ranchers recover losses they face because of the administration's trade war. In July, Heitkamp introduced legislation that would make Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) available at no additional cost to the existing TAA program to farmers and producers whose exports are hurt by retaliatory tariffs caused by the administration's trade policies. She also introduced a bill to direct funds the government is collecting from tariffs on imported goods toward trade promotion assistance to help open new markets for farmers and ranchers hurt by the trade war. Gaining input from North Dakotans. Heitkamp has regularly met with folks from North Dakota impacted by trade, including recent meetings in Washington with North Dakota growers of soybeans, corn, barley, and other commodities, as well as manufacturers and small business owners. She has held a series of meetings across the state to gain input from North Dakotans in agriculture, energy, and manufacturing. And she recently launched a web survey to gain input from North Dakotans to help inform how she can best push back on the administration's actions on trade. Raising concerns about impacts of retaliatory tariffs on the manufacturing industry. Heitkamp recently toured WCCO Belting, Inc. in Wahpeton and heard firsthand the concerns the North Dakota manufacturer has about trade wars and its ability to export its goods. Over half of WCCO's sales are to international customers, making trade an essential part of its business model. Speaking out against tariffs and uncertainty regarding NAFTA that would put the state's economy at risk. Heitkamp has met with farmers, ranchers, and manufacturers across North Dakota to talk about the need for smart trade policies that support North Dakota. She penned op-eds in March 2017 and again in April 2018 making the case. In February, she also did an episode on her podcast, The Hotdish, about NAFTA and the importance of trade for agriculture. For the episode, she interviewed the former U.S. agricultural trade negotiator and a North Dakota barley farmer. Heitkamp recently brought a group of North Dakota agriculture leaders to the Mexican Embassy in Washington to talk about the importance of NAFTA and reinforce their commitment to a strong relationship with their customers in Mexico Pressing for analysis about the impact of the administration's trade policies on small businesses. Heitkamp recently called on the U.S. Small Business Administration's (SBA) Office of Advocacy to analyze the impact of the administration's tariff policies on American small businesses. Small businesses represent nearly 99 percent of all businesses in North Dakota, and support nearly 60 percent of all jobs in the state, according to SBA. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |