Donald Trump promised tariffs would help farmers, but experts warn soy and corn growers are losing income as China retaliates with trade restrictions.
Trump’s Tariffs Leave American Farmers Struggling Despite Promises
Donald Trump’s return to the White House has reignited his push for tariffs, but experts warn the policy may be backfiring—especially for the very farmers who helped him win office.
Back in April, Trump announced sweeping new tariffs, promising they would boost the U.S. economy and create opportunities for American workers. He even told farmers they would “have a field day,” assuring them the move would be a financial win.
However, the reality on the ground paints a different picture. According to Paul Mitchell, professor of agriculture and applied economics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, farmers who relied heavily on China for exports—especially soybean and corn growers—are now suffering major losses.
“Corn and soybeans dominate U.S. agriculture. China buys about 60 percent of the world’s traded soybean. So, when China says they’re not buying our soybean, that really hurts our exports,” Mitchell explained.
When Trump imposed tariffs on China, Beijing responded with tariffs of its own and stopped purchasing American soybeans. This retaliation has deepened financial struggles for U.S. farmers who were already facing challenges from pests, crop disease, and extreme weather.
While Trump has acknowledged the problem, he insists it is part of a larger negotiation strategy with China. On Truth Social, he wrote:
“The Soybean Farmers of our Country are being hurt because China is, for ‘negotiating’ reasons only, not buying. We’ve made so much money on Tariffs, that we are going to take a small portion of that money, and help our Farmers. I WILL NEVER LET OUR FARMERS DOWN!”
He also promised that soybeans and other crops will be key topics when he meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping later this month.
Despite these reassurances, experts argue that the ongoing trade war has left many farmers feeling betrayed. Once promised prosperity, many now face declining exports, shrinking incomes, and uncertainty about the future of U.S.-China trade relations.
For America’s farmers, the tariff gamble has yet to pay off.