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About Appeal tribune. (Silverton, Or.) 1999-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 9, 2019)
4A ❚ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2019 ❚ APPEAL TRIBUNE Trade war Continued from Page 1A producers more than other states be- cause about 40 percent of Oregon’s agri- cultural exports head abroad, compared to 20 percent for the rest of the U.S., Oregon Department of Agriculture Di- rector Alexis Taylor told lawmakers. Some relief came Wednesday when the U.S. and Japan signed a limited trade deal that will lower or eliminate tariffs and expand market access on- farm and other products. President Donald Trump’s pullout from the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Part- nership in 2017 had created a 10% per- cent tariff disadvantage in Japan for American wheat compared to other suppliers like Canada and Australia, Blake Rowe, CEO of the Oregon Wheat Commission and the Oregon Wheat Growers League, told legislators. Ore- gon wheat producers had taken the set- back personally because Oregon grow- ers established relations with Japan in 1949 and opened a Tokyo wheat office in 1956, Rowe said. U.S. Rep. Greg Walden, an Oregon Re- publican, welcomed Wednesday’s agreement. Around 90% of Oregon’s wheat is exported. “Japan is a top market for Oregon wheat, and represents great opportuni- ties to grow markets for beef, blueber- ries, potatoes, and wine among other Oregon products,” Walden said. Oregon is not alone in feeling the pinch. Ports in California saw a 30 per- cent decrease in exports to China in 2018, including a 97% decline in soy- bean exports, the directors of the West Coast’s main ports told Trump on Mon- day. They warned of “irredeemable eco- nomic harm” from the trade conflict. Low global wheat prices of about $5 per bushel have prompted Oregon wheat farmer Tim Hawkins to carefully maintain his three aging combines in- stead of replacing them at a cost of $500,000 each. “That’s something that you really have to analyze: what you’ve got as to what you would like to have,” said Haw- kins, whose farm is in northeastern Ore- gon near Pendleton. He believes other market forces, such as global supply, are more behind depressed prices than the trade wars. But Rowe told lawmakers that the trade wars have resulted in slower wheat sales, increased inventory and lower wheat prices. Back on his cattle ranch, Rosa said that waiting for promised benefits from Rancher Jerome Rosa, executive director of the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association, sits in his truck. The trade war affects Oregon’s agricultural exports more than most states because 40% of the state’s agriculture production is sent abroad. ANDREW SELSKY/AP America’s international trade renegoti- ations is “like being at the bottom of a pool holding your breath and hoping that you’re going to be able to go up and get a breath of air.” “We’ve gone from what was a very good time in our industry, to the last three years that have been extremely painful, not only for beef but also for dairy and also for many other crops,” Rosa said. Rosa told the Oregon House Interim Committee On Agriculture and Land Use that China’s markets for beef opened in 2017 and that the country rep- resents “a huge potential with a rising middle class, and an increasing beef de- mand.” U.S. beef exports to China amounted to $30 million in 2017, and doubled to $60 million in 2018, Rosa said. “Now we’re back down to zero,” Rosa said. Rosa voted for Trump in 2016 and is reassessing his support for the 2020 election. Darren Padget, an Oregon wheat grower and vice chairman of the U.S. Wheat Associates market development group, said he supports Trump’s rene- Heavy equipment is used to 'sweep' hazelnuts into the center under the trees so they can be harvested from an orchard at Aman Brothers LLC in Mt. Angel, Oregon. KELLY JORDAN / STATESMAN JOURNAL gotiating of trade agreements and hard stance with China. “There is a bigger picture than just the wheat farmer going on: It’s about in- tellectual property and there’s a lot of other things,” said Padget, who traveled to New York this week to watch Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe sign the bilateral deal. Also at risk are Oregon hazelnuts, growers say. The state produces 99% of the hazelnuts grown in the United States and China has been Oregon’s largest hazelnut market for 13 of the last 15 years, said Michael Severeid, who manages a hazelnut farm and is a vice president with Willamette Hazelnut Growers in Newberg, near Portland. China’s tariffs on hazelnuts soared to 65%, Taylor said. That hasn’t slowed purchases but hazelnut growers fear that could happen and that Chinese buyers could turn to Turkish hazelnuts. Hazelnuts in Nutella, the popular hazel- nut/cocoa sandwich spread, come from Turkey and Italy. Oregon’s sweet cherry exports have also suffered because China has insist- ed on more inspections and paperwork -- reducing shelf life -- and imposed re- taliatory tariffs of 60%, up from 10%, Taylor told the House committee. She emphasized Oregon’s dependence on foreign trade. “In order to have a strong agricultural economy, we have to have strong export markets,” she said. Medicare Event Wednesday, Oct 23rd 2:00PM YOU WORK HARD ENOUGH. MAKE YOUR PLACE WORK HARDER FOR YOU. You’ve been chipping away at the to-do list and the place is looking great. But what about the things you can’t see—like energy being wasted? Medicare 2020 Review Comparing NEW 2020 Carrier Benefi ts UHC • Providence • Atrio Location: Silverton Senior Center No worries. Energy Trust of Oregon has you covered with low-cost and DIY solutions to save energy and money. RSVP appreciated at info@olearyhealth.com or 503-339-7596 + Get more from your energy. Call us at 1.866.368.7878 or visit www.energytrust.org/DIY. Serving customers of Portland General Electric, Pacific Power, NW Natural, Cascade Natural Gas and Avista. A sales person will be present with information and applications. For accommodation of persons with special needs at meeting call 503-339-7596 TTY 711 OR-GCI0284926-01 R-GCI0284926-01
