02-04-2025
Gov. Shapiro wants you to know he's pushing back on Trump
Governor Josh Shapiro and Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding visited Metzler Forest Products in Mifflin County on April 1, 2025. (Courtesy of Commonwealth Media Services)
On Tuesday, Gov. Josh Shapiro visited a timber business in Reedsville to highlight his administration's investment in agricultural companies in the commonwealth.
Mifflin County-based Metzler Forest Products is using a state grant to increase production of biochar, used by farmers to boost soil health and crop yields.
But Shapiro had another message as well.
Ahead of the visit, his press team touted the appearance as an effort to showcase'efforts to support Pennsylvania farmers and agricultural innovation in the face of economic uncertainty.' During his speech, Shapiro framed his administration's investments in Pennsylvania businesses in contrast with expected tariff announcements from President Donald Trump on Wednesday.
For weeks, Shapiro, who was considered as a running mate for 2024 Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris, has been highlighting how Trump administration policies have impacted the state and its industries.
Last week, Shapiro announced a challenge to a Trump decision to cancel $13 million in federal funding to support Pennsylvania farmers and food banks. His office is also suing the administration over $2 billion of federal funding that was frozen early in the new administration. Shapiro has claimed credit for getting the president to unfreeze them after he visited the White House.
'While the federal government imposes policies that hurt our economy, Pennsylvania is leading the way in driving economic growth — investing in agricultural innovation, supporting our manufacturers, and delivering real results for farmers and their families,' Shapiro said in Reedsville.
Metzler primarily sells domestically, which means they would theoretically avoid direct impacts from tariffs. And the money Metzler received was part of the Agricultural Innovation Grant program, which was created during budgets over the 2024-2025 budget, before Trump returned to office.
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But Shapiro noted that Pennsylvania is among the country's leading hardwood exporters.
Since the beginning of the agricultural innovation program, roughly $2 million has gone to hardwood projects. Nate Metzler, who spoke at the event, said the company was started by his father and employs over 80 people.
Shapiro was joined by other Pennsylvania timber and hardwood industry members who discussed the potential impacts of Trump's tariffs.
Nick Gilson, the CEO of Selinsgrove-based Gilson Snow, which makes skis and snowboards, voiced his concern, since they've shipped products to 50 countries.
He said 50% of their exports have historically gone to Canada, where boycotts of American products are growing over Trump's trade war and threats to take over the country and make it the 51st state.
Canada has long been one of America's staunchest allies.
'I understand the intention behind the tariffs in protecting American manufacturing, but in actual practice, on the ground level, there are adverse side effects,' Gilson said. They raise input costs, strain supply chains and make it harder for American manufacturers to compete with foreign competitors. Beyond the cold economics, I also want to recognize that these tariffs are having an impact on the perception of American made goods.'
Shapiro was also joined by Mifflin County Commissioner Kevin Kodish, Executive Director of the Keystone Wood Products Association Stephanie Phillips-Taggart, and Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding.
Following the announcement, Shapiro's office issued a press release saying the governor will be in Northampton County Wednesday to 'support Pennsylvania brewers and small businesses in the face of tariffs and economic uncertainty.'
Separately, the Department of Agriculture announced Redding and Lt. Gov. Austin Davis will be in Duquesne to discuss the impact of federal funding cuts and proposed state investments on Pittsburgh-area farms and food banks.
