JOHNSON COUNTY, Kan. -- This week President Donald Trump said he would put more tariffs on China exports. China responded by saying they will do the same if that happens.
Shortly after World War II, Ted Guetterman's father bought acres of land south of Kansas City. Since then, farming has been in the family's DNA.
Guetterman has been worried about his crops not getting enough rain. But recently there's been more on his mind than Gary Lezak's forecast.
"The farming community, it's worried about it. We would like to not have as much volatility in the market," said Guetterman.
He said the number one place his soybeans go is China.
"We take a lot of our soybeans, go over to the intermodal in Gardner, where they are loaded onto containers and shipped to China or other Asian countries."
With the recent trade talks, Johnson County and others in the area could be collateral damage.
The USDA says soybean exports in Kansas alone were more than $900 million. In Johnson County, soybean production brings in about $300 million.
"I see what Donald Trump is trying to do - he is trying to get a level playing field. It's not just farmers, you got manufacturers suffering, but the first thing China is going to throw a tariff on is our grain, our soybeans," said Guetterman.
Guetterman said all he can do is continue to do what he’s done for years and just hope the trade talks will end.
The Kansas Department of Agriculture sent 41 Action News the following statement:
"The ability to compete fairly in the global marketplace is critical to economic growth and sustainability of agriculture and the entire Kansas economy. Over the last 5 years, Kansas has averaged more than $450 million annually in exports to China, and it is an important market for several key Kansas commodities, including soybeans, pork, beef and sorghum. It is imperative that the U.S. stand firm in protecting the interests of U.S. agriculture, and focus on fair and science-based trade protocols that do not come at the expense of American farmers and the agriculture industry."
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