Some farm groups and companies are asking President Trump to impose tariffs on foreign competitors, running counter to the view that protectionist measures will ignite a trade war damaging to U.S. agriculture.

The Washington Red Raspberry Commission argues its 60 growers are being undersold by Mexican berries, driving prices below the cost of production. Boise-based Agri Beef proposes imposing tariffs to fund rebuilding the U.S. cattle herd.

“Rural America is losing farms and ranches at an alarming rate,” the company stated in comments to the U.S. trade representative.

Trump has proclaimed April 2 “liberation day,” the date his administration will follow through on pledges to produce an “America first” trade policy built on reciprocal tariffs.

Trump has repeatedly praised tariffs as a way to create jobs, raise money and strike back at other countries’ protectionism. The American Farm Bureau warns tariffs will invite retaliatory measures against U.S. agricultural products.

In response to a call for comments by the U.S. trade representative, many farm groups and businesses asked for barriers to come down to allow for free trade. Some, however, asked for trade protection, arguing high production costs, burdensome regulations and one-way trade barriers are giving foreign competitors an unfair advantage.

U.S. jams and jellies face 24% tariffs in the European Union, plus an additional tax based on volume. Meanwhile, U.S. tariffs are low, just 1.8% for raspberry jam, for example, according to Ohio-based J.M. Smucker Co.

Led by France, the EU imported $237.6 million worth of jams and jellies to the U.S. in 2024, while the U.S. exported only $295,000 worth to Europe, according to Smucker.

“The miniscule value of U.S. exports to the European Union is entirely attributable to the high EU tariff,” the company said.

The U.S. jam sector employs 12,000 workers in Oregon, Washington, California and other states, according to Smucker. “With reciprocal market access to the European Union, U.S. employment in the sector would grow, the company said.

The California Citrus Quality Council asked trade officials to place seasonal limits on lemons from Argentina and Chile, and seasonal limits of mandarins from Chile, Peru, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

Seasonal tariffs will help offset a surge in California production costs, particularly for labor, but also for fertilizer, pesticides and irrigation, according to the citrus council. California growers labor under “a mountain of environmental regulations that are not imposed on our competitors,” wrote citrus council President James R. Cranney Jr.

The Washington raspberry commission said it supports tariffs on Mexican raspberries. Producing raspberries costs $1.30 to $1.65 a pound in Washington. Packing adds another 50 to 70 cents, according to the commission.

Farmers need close to $2 a pound, but Mexican berries are being offered at 60 cents to $1.20 a pound, depressing prices for Washington to $1.75 a pound, according to the commission.

Southern Hemisphere markets have been practically closed to U.S. beef since the “mad cow” incident in 2003 in Washington state, while Southern Hemisphere exporters have had unfettered access to the U.S. market, according to Agri Beef.

Besides helping ranchers regrow herds, tariff revenue could support small packers to prevent more consolidation in the meat-packing industry, Agri Beef proposed.