WASHINGTON -- Texas farmers and ranchers are anxious, losing money and operating with tighter budgets.

“They literally have told me that some of them might not make it,” said Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas. “Keep in mind that the number one exporting state in the whole country is the state of Texas.”

Crops coming out of the Lone Star State are not only facing a competitive disadvantage overseas, but the tariffs are hitting at a time when prices for Texas products are falling. The tug of war with other nations isn’t helping, with trade penalties imposed on American merchandise impacting such things as citrus, grapes, corn, cheese, apples, beef and pork.

President Donald Trump is showing no signs of retracting the tariffs he slapped on some foreign goods. The tension with trading partners is worrying lawmakers, but there’s a consensus: there’s not very much they can do to stop him. Cuellar is getting an earful from Texans, worried about survival strategies.

“There are some people that are hurting right now,” he said. “And I say that because I’ve heard directly from my (agriculture) guys in Texas.”

He added, the longer the Trump administration’s tariffs remain in place, the more likely retaliatory tariffs against American exports stand to hurt Texas producers.

For Texas, two main trading partners are Canada and Mexico, and the collateral damage is massive. Farmers are also getting a direct hit from China, all adding up to almost $50 billion of penalties on U.S. products. Cuellar warns it’s not just agriculture, commerce is also slowing overall.

“I have the Laredo as the largest inland port,” he said. “And if trade slows down because of the tariffs, we get hit in more ways than one.”

The current trade war isn't farmers' only worry. If Trump follows up on his threat to walk away from NAFTA, it could result in more bad news for all types of products.