Hubbell: Reynolds should be more outspoken about harmful tariffs

NEWTON — More liberal use of the bully pulpit and more trade missions to neighbors of the United States — that’s how Fred Hubbell would help Iowa farmers hurting as a result of federal trade policy, the Democratic candidate for governor said Wednesday.

Hubbell visited a rural Jasper County farm Wednesday as part of a campaign tour to discuss how agricultural issues, in particular a budding trade war, are threatening Iowa farmers’ bottom lines.

New tariffs enacted by Republican President Donald Trump’s administration has led other nations to retaliate in kind, causing crop and livestock prices to decline sharply. Pork and soybean, two of Iowa’s top exports, have been particularly impacted.

After chatting with Jasper County farmer Mark Tinnermeier, Hubbell told reporters he thinks Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds, his opponent in the November election, is not doing enough to help Iowa farmers who are feeling the pinch of the federal trade dispute.

“We need to step up and defend farmers and defend Iowans, not defend the president,” Hubbell said.

Read more: https://www.thegazette.com/subject/news/government/hubbell-reynolds-should-be-more-outspoken-about-harmful-tariffs-20180711