California’s $59bn agriculture industry reels under Trump’s wavering tariffs

Some farmers recovered from president's first-term trade war and a fresh one is estimated to cost the state $6bn a year

California's $59bn agricultural industry is bracing for disruption as Donald Trump's tariffs continue to spike tensions and trigger economic turmoil with China - one of the state's biggest buyers.

California is the country's breadbasket, supplying roughly one-third of US vegetables and 75% of its fruits and nuts. But it also exports much of its produce - close to $24bn worth in 2022. This means farmers in the state could lose out significantly as China imposes retaliatory tariffs on US goods.