US to Slap Tariffs on Crop Purchases as Food Imports Balloon (4)

President Donald Trump said the US would impose tariffs on “external” agricultural products starting on April 2, adding another layer of threats to impose trade barriers on imported goods.

“To the Great Farmers of the United States: Get ready to start making a lot of agricultural product to be sold INSIDE of the United States. Tariffs will go on external product on April 2nd. Have fun!” the president said Monday in a social media post.

The move comes just as US food imports balloon, driving the country’s agriculture trade deficit to a record $49 billion this year, the US Department ...