Source: Reference News
Press Release on October 26 On October 23, the website of the Washington Times published an article entitled "American Farmers Are Preparing a Rebellion". The author is Kelly Sadler, compiled as follows:
American farmers are in a tight siege.
According to data from U.S. courts, the number of farm bankruptcies in the first half of this year has risen to the highest level since 2021.The unresolved trade war with China has severely hurt the U.S. soybean market. By 2024, soybeans are the largest category of U.S. agricultural exports, totaling $24 billion.
Last year, China's purchases accounted for about half of U.S. soybean exports. Since U.S. President Trump imposed tariffs this spring, China's soybean imports to the U.S. have dropped to zero, coupled with the fall in prices due to good harvesting this year, which has worsened the situation for U.S. farmers. The federal government data compiled by the Wall Street Journal shows that this year soybean growers will lose about $100 per acre (about 6,07 acres).
Meanwhile, the cost of agricultural machinery, fertilizers and other materials remains high.The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that this year’s agricultural production spending will reach $46,74 billion, up $12 billion from last year.
The only bright spot in American agriculture is beef cattle farmers, but their success is a curse for American consumers. Affected by COVID-19 pandemic, drought and hay grass in pastures, the number of cattle has not recovered so far, which can't meet the resurgence of demand. As a result, the price of beef in grocery stores has skyrocketed.
Data from the U.S. Department of Labor showed that ground beef prices rose 12.8% in the 12 months to August; From May to August, the price per pound (approximately 0.454 kilograms) rose by 30 cents, setting a historical record of US $6.32 per pound. Steak prices rose by more than $1 a pound.
In last year's general election, rural voters were one of Trump's most loyal ballot boxes. According to the data of Pew Research Center in the United States, his vote rate in this voter group is 40 percentage points ahead of Harris, which exceeds his own results in 2020 and 2016. According to the analysis of the "Survey of the Midwest" organization in the United States, Trump won an average of 77% of the votes in all counties in the United States that rely heavily on agriculture.
However, many in these rural areas have begun to question whether Trump remains loyal to the "America First" agenda that is mainly told them.
"I'm a little worried." Tim Maxwell, 65, told the BBC last month. "Our yields, crops and weather are good, but the market is down right now, which will put pressure on some farmers," said Maxwell, who runs a grain and pig farm near the town of Moscow, Iowa.
Despite financial anxieties, Maxwell promised to be patient with Trump. But for many in the industry, that patience is running out. Earlier this month, Trump's deal with Argentina angered soybean growers and beef cattle farmers, which many believed was a complete violation of the "America First" spirit.
To ease US consumer dissatisfaction when shopping in grocery stores, Trump proposed expanding beef imports from Argentina, which would erode the profits of U.S. farmers. Trump also offered $20 billion in bailout to Argentina, a move that annoyed U.S. soybean farmers because they were dissatisfied with Argentina's opportunity to increase exports to China and fill their vacancies after their exit.
It can be assured that Trump has felt the pressure.This week, he posted a "real social" website fiercely criticizing farmers, accusing them of not understanding their trade policies.
Trump hopes to reach an agreement with China in favour of U.S. farmers, while the downturned Trump administration also plans to issue more than $3 billion in frozen agricultural subsidies and consider using tariff revenues to set up another $10 billion in industry rescue.
“The beef is our only project that can still be profitable.Once prices fall, we will soon suffer, and it will affect future generations,” said Landy Roberts of Indiana cattle farming and farming, “It’s harder for the younger generation to enter the cattle farming industry.”
If Trump wants American farmers to stop pouring out their dissatisfaction with their presidency to liberal media such as CNN and the BBC, he'd better start listening to their voices and turn his focus and energy to meeting their demands.
After all, “America Prioritizes.”