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VP Pence talks tariffs; Kansas and Missouri farmers brace for impact

Posted at 5:52 PM, Jul 11, 2018
and last updated 2018-07-11 20:29:59-04

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — During his visit to Kansas City, Vice President Mike Pence talked about the trade war with China. 

"Our president is going to keep fighting for trade deals that are free and fair and are a win for Americans in the city and on the farm," said Pence. 

He energized a Kansas City crowd when he talked about the trade war.

"Countries in particular like China have been informed that the days of a disproportionate and an imbalanced trade relationship with the United States are coming to an end,” Pence said. 

China has said multiple times that it will strike back, meaning farmers in Kansas and Missouri could be hurt the most. 

"China is one of our biggest customers for U.S. soybeans, so if we lose that market, it’s going to hurt the American farmer," said Ted Guetterman of Guetterman Brothers Family Farm. 

41 Action News recently visited Guetterman's farm in southern Johnson County.  

"I see what Donald Trump is trying to do. He is trying to get a level playing field. It’s not just farmers, you got manufacturers suffering. But the first thing China is going to throw a tariff on is our grain, our soybeans," said Guetterman. 

Kansas Gov. Jeff Colyer attended Pence's speech. Colyer admitted there could be some growing pains with the trade war. 

"There could be some immediate impacts and there also could be some immediate opportunities and that is why we are working very hard with our ranchers and farmers. I brought in the counsel general from Japan, Indonesia and a number of other countries. They are looking at purchasing more Kansas soy and Kansas beef," said Colyer. 

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