As the Trump administration continues to implement across-the-board tariffs and threaten even more, Montana businesses, farmers, and consumers are bracing for economic disruptions and higher costs. The state’s economy faces significant challenges across key sectors, including agriculture, manufacturing, and energy.

Tariff Impact on Montana: By the Numbers
In 2024, Montana exported $2.4 billion in goods, with Canada accounting for $869 million—or 37% of the state’s total goods exports. Trade supports nearly 161,000 Montana jobs, spanning manufacturing, agriculture, and energy.

Agriculture: Agriculture is a foundational industry in Montana. It is currently the number 3 wheat-producing state in the U.S. and leads the nation in certified organic wheat and pulse crop (lentils, peas, chickpeas) production. In 2023, agricultural exports totaled $1.4 billion. Tariffs on imported inputs like fertilizer, machinery, and feed threaten to raise costs for Montana farmers and ranchers.

Manufacturing: Manufacturing contributes $4.3 billion annual value to Montana’s economy and comprises 5.9% of the state’s gross domestic product (GDP). The sector employs over 20,000 people across more than 1,000 manufacturing firms.

Tourism: Tourism is also a major pillar of Montana’s economy. In 2023, the state welcomed more than 12.5 million nonresident visitors, generating nearly $5.5 billion in direct spending. Flagship destinations like Glacier National Park and the north entrance to Yellowstone support an estimated 48,000 jobs across the travel, lodging, dining, and outdoor recreation sectors. A prolonged trade war risks more than just economic disruption—it can damage America’s global reputation and deter international travelers who may choose to vacation elsewhere due to rising tensions and anti-U.S. sentiment.

Energy: Montana’s energy and natural resources sector is deeply tied to trade, both as a net exporter of fossil fuels and as an importer of critical clean energy components. In 2021, the oil and natural gas industry contributed $7.5 billion to the state’s economy and supported over 56,000 jobs. As the state expands its renewable portfolio and its workforce of more than 32,000, developers rely on imported equipment like turbines, solar panels, and transformers. Tariffs on energy inputs threaten to stall clean energy growth, raise infrastructure costs, and weaken Montana’s competitiveness in a trade-dependent energy economy.