How Trump's trade wars hurt US farmers

As a result of President Donald Trump's trade wars with China and other countries, US farmers are seeing a surplus of perishable goods stuck in limbo and increased prices for equipment.

In good years, cargo trains moving west along the flat, sweeping grasslands of North Dakota’s plains are a sign of money rolling in.

Today, as tariffs from America’s largest foreign soybean market -- China -- threaten to upend the industry, many trains sit idle.

“There are no shuttle trains leaving. There is no nothing,” said Joe Ericson, the 38-year-old president of the North Dakota Soybean Growers Association. “They can’t get rid of the beans.”

In conversations with more than 50 farmers, producers and agriculture experts in five states representing each of the five food groups, one trend was clear: The once-deep ties to President Donald Trump have frayed over the past year. But they remain intact for a small majority of farmers CNN spoke with ahead of the critical 2018 midterm elections. Democrats, who see an opening with Trump’s trade war, will likely struggle to make inroads with these voters.

The President gives all of them plenty to complain about. They grumble about his tweeting -- that’s not their style -- and what his trade war has done to their bottom lines. But if the President’s re-election were held tomorrow, most of them would back him. They trust Trump, and many believe Democrats don’t understand or largely ignore their way of life.

Still, Trump’s deep support in rural America, which helped propel him to the White House in 2016, is being tested. The wheat farmers, soybean growers and pork producers confront a growing trade war that is forcing them to re-evaluate their ties to the President’s Republican Party and openly question whether his mantra to “Make America Great Again” came at the expense of voters like them.

Animations By Melody Shih

Produced and edited By:
Mkenna Ewen
Nick Scott
Jeff Simon

#trump #tradewar #CNN #News

[thirtythree]

These farmers need to stop watching Fox and re-evaluate their position on Trump.

[kathleensmitholdwhitewoman]

But they are gonna take the taxpayers money. If thats not socialism I dont know what is.

[hughwilliams]

He's loosing his farm but says he still supports Trump . Very smart .

[yaktown]

Didn't those farmers say we'll take the pain? Then why take the bailout from American tax dollars isn't it handout?

[MrPhotodoc]

Hey farmers..."pull yourself up by your bootstraps why don't you"..."stand on your own two feet"... "don't expect a handout". Oh and "vote Trump out".

[dondattaford]

What's bad is the damage to farmers will last well after trump's gone livelihoods will be gone

[IchimokuCloud]

Thank you American farmers for sacrificing your economic livelihood on behalf of American multi national corporations and the greater good that need a better deal in China. Suckers appreciated! When you go bankrupt, you can be sure those corporations will pay you a fair price for your farm. Make America Great Again. Thank you.

[Sonyag]

If the tables were turned, would Trump take a financial hit to his hotel business to save a United States farmer? Why do the people in this video think they are doing a good thing to lose their business for the benefit of Donald Trump?

[jesusvera]

When someone when bankrupt four times, it should race some flags!!!

[TheFlaccox]

I can't comment the obvious but I will say, You can't fix stupid!

[zonefinest]

They voted for trump, & he’s laughing all the way to the bank . While y’all business is about to be up for sale to the highest bidder

[tinawalker]

China will not come to US farmers like before. New agreement has been made with other companies.
If you put tarifs on someone, do you really believed the person going to lay low and watch you smash them down without retaliation? This is what happened when you don't do your home work before acting.

[emilybazer]

The sad thing is is they truly believe it's for the greater good. Fools.

[jeannie]

Stumps has nearly destroyed farmers with his idiotic policies, then he bails them out with tax payer money, and then brags about how good they are doing because of him. He has managed to take hard working decent people and turn them into welfare recipients.
Sadly, they will still vote for him.

[obiwankenobi]

that one guy who says he still supports him really makes me lose faith in humanity..

[eddiec]

Boo who!!! You voted for him now deal with it!!! Good luck

[Moneyman-]

Thanks for the real news CNN! Keeping me informed and woke! #resistDrumpf

[stephenyoong]

Trump is living in extreme luxury & these farmers are living in extreme poverty. So sad.

[mohafaraar]

You tired of winning now? The trucking business is dying too.

[bluzcompany]

They put there faith in one of the worst business men of all times, what did they expect.