SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — Time is running out with only one week left before the Mexico and Canada tariffs will be implemented by the Trump administration.

This has caused growing concern among Illinois farmers and the agriculture market over a potential trade disruption. Illinois relies heavily on Mexico and Canada for agricultural exports. Currently, the state ranks fifth nationally when it comes to agriculture exports.

 In 2023, Illinois exported a little over $78 billion of goods to other countries. With the deadline approaching, farmers and state residents could see a major economic shift if the tariff is reinstated.

The Illinois Farmers Bureau, an advocate for Illinois farmers, said they’ve been watching the situation if anything changes. Brian Duncan, President of IFB, says while they are pleased with the pause on the tariff, now, this still puts them in an uncertain position. 

“That’s always challenging for those of us in agriculture because we make long-term investments. You know, you plant a seed and you don’t have anything to sell for ten or 11 months,” Duncan said, “Or with livestock, it’s a year or maybe two from the time that you decide to breed an animal until you have something ready to sell.”

The implementation of tariffs comes at times when Illinois farmers are already facing a difficult time with commodity prices going down and operation costs rising. According to a report by the Rural and Farm Finance Policy Analysis Center in 2024, Illinois’s farmers net income was expected to decrease by 31 percent.

Moving forward in 2025, things are expected to get even worse with the income dropping from $5.4 billion to $2.97 billion. This is the second year in a row that there has been a decline in Illinois farmers income which once peaked at $10 billion in 2022. With the new trade system potentially getting implemented,this leaves farmers in a vulnerable place. 

Duncan, a farmer himself, said the organization will continue to fight for a stable trade system and he urged lawmakers to see the importance of international trade.

“We will continue to tell the story of the importance of trade. We are a supporter of rules-based trade. Duncan said. “Mexico is a number one market for corn, for pork. That’s a story we’ll keep sharing.” 

The new tariff the Trump administration has implemented included a 25% tax on items coming from Mexico and Canada, which will resume on March 4. And there’s also now a 10% tariff on items coming from China. This could result in less demand for Illinois agricultural products.