I wrote a commentary for Kansas Reflector back in November about the potential harm that President Trump’s planned tariffs might do to American farmers.
According to the article, 398 million acres of agriculture have been added globally since the turn of the century, particularly in tropical areas like Brazil and India. U.S. farmers are facing more competition in export markets. We create too much for the United States to consume alone.
Trump’s promises of less regulation and more prosperity for American farmers were the main reasons why many farmers voted for him. The harsh reality is that, like the majority of Trump supporters, farmers did not thoroughly research the realities of the new government. All of this has taken place against a backdrop of narrow margins for almost every crop and rising input costs.
The only constant in the world in which we currently live and work is chaos. Uncertainty brought about by chaos breeds distrust. Customers of American agricultural products will not do business with unreliable countries. There are many ways for such buyers to avoid the US in the modern world. Why in the world would they tolerate the madness that now exists in Washington?
That some Republicans have defended Trump’s proposed tariffs and that some of those same Republicans have pledged to assist the affected farmers is nearly absurd.
Really?
An unelected multibillionaire is currently wreaking havoc in Washington after effectively purchasing the Trump presidency. On the one hand, we hear some of Trump’s allies pledge to help farmers, while on the other hand, we witness unprecedented attempts to cut government spending by an organization called DOGE (that is, without the advice and permission of the Congress). It is impossible to square the two. Regardless of your political stance, this is a historic attack on the separation of powers and the Constitution.
Select the programs that interest you. Farmers will no longer be able to profit from carbon reduction efforts on their farms thanks to the Climate Smart programs. Who knows what the future holds for the 45Z tax credit? What about export aid initiatives that are desperately required to support American farmers in fending off the impact of Trump’s tariffs and the emergence of our international rivals, like Brazil and India? What about the price subsidies that were a major component of the farm support programs offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture? What occurs if funding for the NOAA is cut off?
What about the impact of USAID’s projects on soft power in many underdeveloped regions of the world? According to some estimates, USAID purchases over $2 billion worth of US agricultural products every year. The shady gang is dismantling USAID. Sen. Jerry Moran has been vocal about this absurdity, to his credit. Otherwise, others will fill the void left by our political and economic rivals.
Who is harmed? Definitely not Trump and his rich entourage. This misguided strategy disproportionately affects Main Street shops, farmers, and small towns.
Don’t put too much faith in this administration to aid you. The adage “fool me once, shame on you” comes to mind. Shame on me for being a fool twice. You have been defrauded, my fellow farmers. This country cannot be an island. However, this administration is headed in that direction, and responsible people of all political stripes must work together to put an end to this craziness.
Are you listening, farmers? These basic issues are at the core of our democracy. According to what we have seen thus far, this country is headed in a direction that is inconsistent with our long-standing global role, and the resulting social and economic repercussions may be unparalleled.
Born in Kansas, Ben Palen has been a farmer for five generations and has worked as an agriculture consultant in both Kansas and Colorado.Kansas Reflector seeks to elevate the voices of those impacted by public policy or left out of public discourse through its opinion section. Information is available here, including instructions on how to submit your own remark.
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Eliot Pierce is a dedicated writer for ChiefsFocus.com, covering local crime and finance news. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Eliot aims to provide his readers with clear and insightful analysis, helping them navigate the complexities of their financial lives while staying informed about important local events. His commitment to delivering accurate and engaging content makes him a valuable resource for the community.