SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) -- The South Dakota Farm Bureau has made an urgent call to its members to contact the state's congressional delegation about the impact of a potential trade war with China.
The U.S. and China imposed dueling tariffs on Friday.
Bureau President Scott VanderWal says the stakes are high for Farm Country.
"If we disrupt trade in a time like we are now with the farm economy in poor shape already.....It's going to be economically devastating."
VanderWal says that President Trump's policies have done a lot of good things for America's farmers, but using tariffs is where he parts ways with the President.
"Maybe he's going to get what he wants in the end, but it needs to be really fast. The timing of this is really bad, coming into harvest." He says real damage will start to occur as seasonal selling begins.
VanderWal says that all three members of the South Dakota all-Republican congressional delegation have already been urging the President to use caution and prevent damage to agricultural markets. This Call to Action will give South Dakota farmers an opportunity to make their voices heard in Washington.
VanderWal concedes his organization has to proceed diplomatically with this President.
"We have to be careful how we do that because he doesn't respond to attacks very well, or perceived attacks."