LED Boss: ‘Consequences of Tariffs are Unknowable At This Point’

Louisiana's Secretary of Economic Development, Don Pierson, talks with 101.7 / 710 KEEL's Robert J Wright and Erin McCarty about a recent report praising the state's improved economic outlook and what effects newly imposed tariffs will have on Louisiana industry.

Pierson tells KEEL listeners that a recent report from Southern Business Development magazine, which annually ranks southern states by the amount of capital investment and the number of jobs associated with those, ranked Louisiana second for 2017.

Pierson says says that the Shreveport-Bossier area is benefiting, pointing out that that the addition of Western Global Airlines to the area and expansion by Benteler Steel / Tube have added much needed jobs to the Ark-La-Tex.

Pierson also says that there is potential trouble for Louisiana's exporting industries with some nations raising tariffs on their imported goods: "The consequences of tariffs are really unknowable at this point, particularly because other nations are continuing to change and tweak their trade policies in substantial ways."