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How Trump’s trade war could affect Florida

Business interests worried.
 
Published July 6, 2018

WASHINGTON – With the trade war with China officially under way Friday, Florida businesses are bracing for the impact.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which strongly opposes the tariffs, says the hit could be $112 million, including aluminum scrap, lobsters and crawfish.

Oranges, the quintessential Florida product, are listed on a list of retaliatory tariffs published by the Chinese government.

That comes on top of other tariffs imposed on China, Mexico and the European Union.

U.S. Chamber of Commerce estimated impacts.

Gov. Rick Scott and other Florida officials have kept a fairly low profile as Trump pursues policies he says will even the playing field for U.S. producers.

"I think it is important that we have free trade, but it has to be fair," Scott aid in April. "If we're trying to sell there (another country), we should have the same opportunity as they have the right to sell here."

Read more: The price of beer could go up: How Trump's 'trade war' may hurt Rick Scott

Trump's tariffs could spark trade war, Florida Chamber warns

Sen. Marco Rubio wants a singular focus on China.