Unlike millions of other American farmers, garlic producers profit from a trade war with China and accordingly welcome President Donald Trump's latest economic attack on China.
Sales of California-grown garlic, after decades of losing ground due to cheaper Chinese imports, are currently growing. And this growth can accelerate - thanks to the “trade war" Chinese garlic is faced with even higher tariffs, and the end-edge of this war is not visible.
Tariffs for Chinese garlic increased from 10 to 25 percent on May 9, when the United States raised tariffs on Chinese goods by $ 200 billion and lost hope that a trade deal between the United States and China could take place in the near future.![](http://img.tomahnousfarm.org/img/ferm-2020/14147/image_t5evH0iC36sd5FpTGbdf.jpg)
“In an ideal world, we would like tariffs to remain forever,” said Ken Christopher, executive vice president of the family-run Christopher Ranch, the largest of the three remaining commercial garlic producers in the United States.
While many farmers suffer from a trade war because they rely heavily on imports to China, American garlic producers benefit because the vast majority rely on domestic sales.![](http://img.tomahnousfarm.org/img/ferm-2020/14147/image_s3py9D0LspsDRl6ZtfiId1Bt.jpg)
California garlic is traditionally sold at much higher prices than Chinese garlic. Now in the wholesale market, it sells for about $ 60 for a 30-pound box. Until recently, Chinese garlic sold for $ 20 per box, but with tariffs it rose to $ 40 and is likely to grow further soon.