U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts supports Trump's tariffs, despite concerns from agriculture groups

Nebraska Public Media reached out to elected officials from across the state for a series of interviews on topics important to their constituents. They had the opportunity to discuss a variety of topics during one-on-one interviews with reporters to share how they’re working to represent Nebraskans.

President Donald Trump is threatening more tariffs against foreign countries in his pursuit of better international trading deals for the U.S. In his first month in the Oval Office, President Trump took aim at countries that had deep economic ties to Nebraska, such as China, Canada and Mexico. All three countries are among Nebraska's top trading partners when it comes to Nebraska's number one industry — agriculture.

Republican U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts said he supports President Trump's tariff strategy, especially if they can be used as tactics to fulfill other means, such as strengthening the U.S.-Mexico border.

"President Trump is very committed to making sure that we are a safe and prosperous country, and one of the ways to do that is by securing our border to prevent the huge amount of fentanyl and other illegal drugs from coming in," Ricketts said. "He's used the threat of tariffs to get both Canada and Mexico to start taking material steps to be able to do that, and it's worked."

Ricketts cited Mexico's recent agreement to deploy 10,000 troops to the border.

"I think you've got a strategy here where the president understands that he can be successful in getting countries to work with us," Ricketts said. "And so I support that, because it's important for our safety to get the border secure."

Shortly following the president's announcements on tariffs, the Nebraska Farm Bureau released a statement emphasizing the importance of strong trade relationships.

"Nebraska's farm and ranch families always seek to secure their financial future through free and open markets," it read. "However, we now call on President Trump to again make good on his previous promises and ultimately seek new and expanded agriculturally focused trade agreements around the world, something former President Biden failed to do over the past four years."

Other large industries in Nebraska, such as manufacturing and construction, could also feel the squeeze from tariffs. The Associated General Contractors of America told Nebraska Public Media News that tariffs could make it more expensive for contractors to buy materials. The groups' Vice President of Public Affairs said rising costs could be passed on to clients.

Nebraska ag producers could also feel some economic side effects from President Trump's dismantlement of the U.S. Agency for International Development, also known as USAID. The federal program helps supply materials and financial support to foreign countries.

USAID funding can also be found in domestic programs, such as the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute at the University of Nebraska. The pause from President Trump's administration has put on hold a $19 million, five-year project to improve global food insecurity. The program also compensates many Nebraska farmers who contribute food and supplies to USAID.

Ricketts said it's normal for an incoming president to analyze and alter current federal spending, and he supports scrutinizing the agency's recent expenditures.

"There's a lot of good things that they're doing, but there's also a lot of things they were doing that the American taxpayer wouldn't put up with," Ricketts said.

The senator claimed the agency paid for transgender operas in Colombia and drag shows in Ecuador. Similar statements that have been made by other Republican congressional members but have found to be misleading. Several reports have found that the State Department had awarded grants to groups who put on programs overseas, including Colombia and Ecuador, but the funds did not originate from USAID.

Read and listen to Nebraska Public Media's interviews with Congressman Mike Flood, Congressman Don Bacon and U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer.