CONGRESSMAN GRAY: WE MUST ACT TO PROTECT AG COMMUNITIES FROM IMPACTS OF TARIFFS

WASHINGTON, DC—Congressman Adam Gray (D-Merced) joined House Democratic Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar (D-CA), Vice Chair Ted Lieu (D-CA), and his colleagues Representatives Tim Kennedy (D-NY) and Andrea Salinas (D-OR) this morning to call out recent tariff threats and potential threats to the San Joaquin Valley’s agriculture industry. 

CONGRESSMAN GRAY: I represent California's San Joaquin Valley, the world's largest agricultural region. The President's recent announcement of tariffs on our global trade partners poses a serious risk to farmers in the San Joaquin Valley and across the country.

The last time blanket tariffs went into effect under President Trump's first administration, California farmers lost an estimated $683 million in crop revenue. The most significant losses were concentrated in tree nuts and dairy products, among others, which are top exports from the San Joaquin Valley.

In fact, the California delegation recently received a letter from ag industry leaders in California pleading with Congress to support common sense measures that will protect fair competition for their products and defend our nation's food supply. This group of producers represent more than 400 commodities and billions of dollars of revenue. They warn of uncertain market conditions, disrupted business operations, increased costs associated with retaliatory tariffs. This all poses a significant risk to family-owned farms, which account for over 95% of American agricultural operations.

I grew up in the ag industry. My family owned and operated a dairy supply store. My grandparents grew pistachios. Like many Valley families, I know personally how tight budgets are. I know how one bad season can derail an operation for years. These aren't just individual farmers or business owners who will lose jobs or shutter businesses. These are entire communities, like mine in the Central Valley, who rely on the ag industry to power their economy. 

Rather than work with Congress to make precise strategic changes to our trade policy, the President has decided to impose sloppy blanket tariffs and stuck American farmers with the bill.

I am ready to work with anyone and everyone who is serious about rising above partisan politics to protect our ag communities from the impacts of tariffs.

We must do something now.

Our farmers deserve it. Our communities deserve it.

Watch Congressman Gray’s full remarks here. Watch the full press conference here.

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