Tariffs on imports and exports continue to create uneven economic impacts across the United States, affecting agricultural producers, input costs and trade relationships differently by state, according to experts featured on Kansas State University’s Agriculture Today podcast.
The Smoke and Mirrors podcast featured host Jenny Ifft, agricultural policy chair of the Barry Flinchbaugh Center for Ag and Food Policy; Cornell University agricultural economist Wendong Zhang; and Ohio State University assistant professor of agribusiness and applied economics Seungki Lee, who discussed how tariffs shape trade flows and influence state-level economies.
Ifft said tariffs can have widespread but uneven consequences depending on a state’s reliance on imports or exports.
“Tariffs don’t impact every state the same way,” Jenny Ifft said. “It really depends on what that state produces and who they trade with.”
According to research published in Choices Magazine, tariffs on agricultural goods traded among the United States, Canada and Mexico can reduce export demand while increasing the cost of imported inputs such as fertilizer, feed and machinery. These changes can raise production costs and increase food prices, particularly in states heavily dependent on trade with these three countries.
Zhang emphasized that states with strong export ties to Canada or Mexico may be more vulnerable to retaliatory tariffs.
“States that rely heavily on exports to countries such as Canada and Mexico will feel those impacts more directly,” Zhang said. “When those markets are disrupted, commodity prices and farm income can be affected quickly.”
Trade data shows that North American markets are deeply integrated, especially under agreements like the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, making agricultural disruptions more significant. In some cases, tariffs have led to reduced exports and shifts in global market share, particularly when trading partners impose retaliatory measures.
Lee added that import-dependent states may face distinct challenges, particularly when tariffs raise the cost of essential inputs.
“For some regions, the bigger concern is on the import side,” Lee said. “Rising input costs can squeeze producers’ margins and ultimately affect consumers through higher prices.”
Recent analyses indicate that tariffs can unevenly reduce agricultural imports and exports by commodity and country, further contributing to regional disparities across the U.S. economy.
As global trade relationships continue to evolve, the researchers noted that understanding state-level exposure is critical for policymakers and producers operating in an increasingly complex trade environment.
The full discussion is available on the Agriculture Today podcast. The Smoke and Mirrors podcast is produced by faculty of the Flinchbaugh Center for Ag and Food Policy, and guests from across the United States. Learn more about the Center at https://www.flinchbaughcenter.com.
PHOTO: United States tariffs government import taxation. (Adobe Stock-#1379960473 │ Miha Creative)
