The trade war with China has brought in many additional tariffs to American exports, wreaking havoc on some industries, but how much is it affecting Nevada's beef industry?
In 2017, tariffs placed on US beef purchased by the Chinese averaged a little under 15 percent. This past year, the World Trade Organization is reporting tariffs that range somewhere between 37 and 50 percent.
Market researchers from the University of Nevada, Reno Cooperative Extension Program say that it hasn't really had a big effect on overall sales, though.
Steve Foster works for the program at its Pershing County branch. He said there's been a beef export shortage in some competing countries, which has helped Nevada ranchers through an uncertain time.
"Australian beef supply is down a little bit," Foster said, "so, we still maintain exports to the other countries, not just China."
The WTO reports that in 2017, China ranked 17th in a list of American beef consumers, which means the country didn't play a big role in the beef market to begin with. Foster's market analysis for this year shows sales of American beef up between one and two percent.
