Tariffs from US-Canada trade war impacting central Illinois families

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) – As the trade war heats up between the United States and Canada, WAND News spoke with the two candidates vying for the 13th district congressional seat about tariffs.

“It creates a chilling effect across the entire agricultural sector,” said incumbent Democratic Rep. Nikki Budzinski. “Growers don’t want a handout. What I hear is that growers want to grow for a market they can sell for.”

Republican Jeff Wilson points to the tariffs and said they have helped some business sectors.

“The big picture is it helped a lot of manufacturers,” Wilson stated. “Especially steel and aluminum here in the United States. On the other hand, it also cuts the other way. It’s not been beneficial for our farmers.”

While many of the larger U.S. tariffs don’t start until Jan. 1, Canada responded with tariffs against the U.S. that start in early September.