As tariffs squeeze Michigan farmers, new nonpartisan group focuses on creating space to promote smart, consistent trade policies

Michigan Smart Trade Alliance calls for smart, consistent trade policy to help farmers compete

LANSING, Michigan — Michigan farmers and agricultural businesses, along with growers and food producers from across the country, are on the brink of “widespread collapse,” a bipartisan coalition of former U.S. Department of Agriculture officials and farming organizations warned in a letter to Congress this week, according to a report in The New York Times.

The current federal tariff policies are crushing a range of agricultural commodities. Michigan’s wheat exports to Canada are down 89%, cherry exports are down 62% and soybean exports to China are down 46%, according to The Washington Post. Nationally, beef and pork exports were down in 2025 compared to the previous year.

“The already difficult work of farming is even more challenging because of the current tariff policies and uncertainty,” said Mark Fisk, MISTA spokesman. “Farmers growing our food need consistent trade policy so they can plan for the future and thrive for generations to come. We’re seeing that harsh tariffs, uncertainty and trade tensions have pushed many Michigan farmers to the brink.”

“Tariffs raise costs and limit international markets for Michigan farmers, making it harder for them to compete while they raise the cost of food for Michiganders at the same time,” said John Sellek, MISTA spokesman. “Michigan needs a smart and consistent trade policy that enables Michigan agriculture to compete and that improves affordability in the state.”

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