Summary
Trump’s new tariffs—10% across the board plus duties on 60 countries—threaten U.S. farmers already strained by high inflation, rising loan rates, and falling crop prices.
Unlike 2018, today’s farm economy offers less cushion, with depleted bailout funds and federal budget constraints limiting relief.
While herbicides and fertilizers are exempt, farmers fear retaliatory tariffs and export losses.
Farm groups and lawmakers urge moderation, prompting USDA to launch new trade initiatives. Still, widespread USDA staff cuts and uncertain support leave many farmers anxious, risking political fallout in key red states.
And once our export markets find new sources, they won’t come back just because the tariff is gone.
This also making other countries/blocs develop their own industry. We can see that in how EU countries are earmarking funds for their own defense industry. Once that industry is developed, they won’t come crawling back to the US.