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TECHNOTE: Thu 9/4/25 Radio broadcast interruptions during tower work 9am-5pm

MSU Professor: Long-Term Tariff War Effects Unknown for Michigan Farmers

Many local corn growers have just started planting this year's crop. Photo: Rob South/WKAR
WKAR file photo
Many local corn growers have just started planting this year's crop.Photo: Rob South/WKAR

A Michigan State University professor said Michigan farmers are being affected by the tariff fight between the United States and China. But long-term, the impact is still unknown.

It’s been a rollercoaster year for farmers.

Jim Hilker
Credit Reginald Hardwick / WKAR Public Media
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WKAR Public Media
Dr. Jim Hilker, professor at MSU's Dept. of Agricultural, Food and Resource Economics

First, two rounds of retaliatory tariffs by China.

In response, the Trump administration announced 12-billion dollars in aid to farmers. And the President says the European Union will buy a lot of soybeans although the exact deal is yet to be ironed out.

WKAR’s Reginald Hardwick talked with Dr. Jim Hilker, professor at MSU's Dept. of Agricultural, Food and Resource Economics.

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