The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) last week strongly encouraged U.S. trade officials to resolve trade concerns with China before resorting to an additional round of tariffs.

Tariffs against the import of Chinese goods, if imposed, would likely prompt China to retaliate with tariffs on U.S. exports targeting key Iowa ag products, including soybeans, beef, corn and ethanol, said Craig Hill, IFBF president, in a letter to the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR). “Retaliatory tariffs against U.S. agricultural exports would have a catastrophic impact on Iowa’s economy, farmers and rural communities,” Hill wrote.

Other farm groups and Iowa state...