1. United States
2. N.D.
3. Letter

North Dakota's agriculture industry is a critical economic driver, generating an estimated $41 billion in revenue annually. However, the state's farmers and ranchers are facing significant challenges due to the ongoing trade disputes and retaliatory tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. These actions have disrupted long-standing trade relationships and global supply chains, leaving many producers uncertain about their future prospects. Despite North Dakota's overwhelming support for former President Trump in the 2020 election, it is evident that his policies have had detrimental effects on the state's agricultural sector. The 2018 trade war with China, a major buyer of North Dakota's soybeans and other crops, resulted in plummeting prices and left grain stockpiled in bins. While the recent opening of two soybean processing plants in the state provides some relief, the ongoing tariff battle and market volatility continue to pose significant risks. It is imperative that our state's leadership takes a firm stance in advocating for the interests of North Dakota's farmers and ranchers. The governor and other state officials should speak out publicly against the harmful trade policies and tariffs that are undermining the state's agricultural economy. They must demand that federal representatives take immediate action to resolve these disputes, restore stability to the markets, and ensure that our producers are not left to bear the brunt of these ill-conceived policies alone. The well-being of North Dakota's agricultural community, and by extension, the state's overall economic health, is at stake. It is time for our state leaders to prioritize the needs of their constituents and take a proactive approach in addressing these pressing issues. Inaction or silence in the face of such challenges is unacceptable.