BY JOSH DAVISNorth Country This Week

A Madrid farmer and president of the New York State Farm Bureau has joined opposition to a wide-reaching slate of tariffs being proposed by U.S. President Donald J. Trump.

It’s unclear how much the tariffs will impact local farmers and other industries at this time, but it’s certain to drive up operations costs and has contributed to a plunge in the U.S. stock markets.

Supporters say the tariffs will boost US manufacturing and protect jobs. They could also help raise tax revenue and grow the economy. But detractors say the cost is too high and fear the American people will be hit hard in the wallets during already trying times.

The New York Farm Bureau, which advocates for farming-related policy at the state and federal level,  met Tuesday to discuss 2025 lobbying priorities and pressing issues facing New York State farmers, particularly the impact trade tariffs could have on agricultural business operations.

President David Fisher of Madrid noted that the position of the Farm Bureau has been, and will remain, in opposition to tariffs.

He said there will be “impacts, for sure,” stemming from the swath of tariffs being proposed as the Trump administration gains momentum.

The Farm Bureau President also noted the recent announcement of a hike in electricity rates from Ontario, asserting that power prices are a major factor in dairy and other farming operations.

Fisher said that the hike would “definitely impact our dairies,” as would increased costs in equipment and parts being imported by American farmers.

On Monday, Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced that the province would levy an additional 25 percent tariff on electricity exported to the United States.

The Associated Press reported Tuesday afternoon that Ford had backpedaled on the rate hike following a conversation with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.

Ford said he felt confident that the U.S. president would also stand down on his own plans for 50% tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum.

In a press conference in Toronto he said the decision was not made lightly and put the blame squarely on the president. He went as far as threatening to cut the supply off completely.

“I will not hesitate to increase this charge. If the United States escalates, I will not hesitate to shut the electricity off completely,” he said.

"Believe me when I say I do not want to do this. I feel terrible for the American people who didn't start this trade war. It’s one person who is responsible. It's President Trump.”

Tariffs on a wide range of products can affect the solvency of a farming operation, bringing increased costs on imported feed, equipment, and fertilizer.

Fisher noted that canola, which is used as dairy feed, is imported heavily from Canada.

In a prepared statement released March 4, Fisher decried the “retaliatory” tariffs, noting that “U.S. dairy farmers exported nearly $9 billion globally in 2024, with the largest portion of these exports going to Canada, Mexico and China. While we support fair trade, our goal is always to provide affordable and accessible food for all New Yorkers while protecting our agricultural markets and lowering input costs for our farmers.”

Fisher noted that New York farmers are already dealing with “razor-thin margins,” and obstacles to exporting produce would result in greater competition from other apple producing states and lower prices for farmers.

President Fisher did applaud the decision to roll back a tariff levied on potash, describing the move as a “positive.”

Potash is a mineral-based substance that is used as a fertilizer on farms.

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