'A little bit anxious': How Donald Trump's tariff threats can affect American farmers, and what consumers can do in the face of high food prices

All of this has led to a tremendous amount of uncertainty for businesses.

"I can't lie. I mean, you're a little bit anxious,” Rick Persinger, a corn and soybean farmer, told WRTV Indianapolis. "This is a little bit unprecedented for me, because I've never really seen our country do what it's doing right now."

So, how could farmers be impacted by tariffs, and what can Americans do in the face of high food prices?

Tariffs could make life hard for crop growers

One particular product farmers are keeping an eye on regarding tariffs is potash — a key fertilizer ingredient that boosts plant growth and contributes to higher crop yields. Around 80% of U.S. potash imports come from Canada, according to government data. Canada produces more potash than any other nation worldwide.

When Trump delayed tariffs on goods compliant with the USMCA, he also lowered the levy on non-USMCA-compliant potash to 10%. It's not known if he will make a similar exception on remaining potash imports when (or if) the delay ends.

"It's very hard to make long-term plans when you have this much uncertainty," Persinger said of the rapidly changing landscape. "It's going to affect our bottom line."

American Farm Bureau president Zippy Duvall also stressed the potential nationwide cost of these tariffs on farmers.

“Adding even more costs and reducing markets for American agricultural goods could create an economic burden some farmers may not be able to bear,” he said in a statement.