This article reminds us that China is a communist country, and decisions are made at the top. They can cut us off completely from selling cars or anything else. This is why we must pull out of china and not buy anything they manufacture. Why can't we just grow enough to feed ourselves and our true allies who will purchase on a continuous basis? Oh, because Trump is isolating us from our allies, I almost forgot. It's going to get mighty costly to live in a nation that has no friends, as Trump desires.
3
Using tariffs to negotiate trade agreements is like using a sledge hammer to cut a gemstone diamond - only a fool would think using such a crude instrument would give good results. One wonders exactly what those Tea Party folks think between the elevated budget deficits and now the Administration giving subsidies as kickbacks to offset the trade, business and job losses caused by such a stupid game of global chicken played with real people's livelihoods... will the last true conservative left in Washington turn out the remaining incandescent light bulb?
12
Attention soy farmers of America who voted for Trump in 2016!
Wake up and smell the Trump coffee -- which has gone rancid in his trade war with China. He and his daughter get special trade favors from the Chinese, and you get the shaft. Do you need more information to understand that your trust in Trump was seriously misplaced?
18
Maybe Corey Lewandowski has a witty response to this news.
7
And who owns those farmers' debt? They may have made a bargain with the devil.
4
Here's a thought. Register you discontent with our current president by voting for Democrats. He caused your problem. He's made this election about him. Tell him off!
8
Here's an idea for all the farmers who have soybeans they can't sell. Load them into some dump trucks and deposit them right in front of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Stop traffic for a while. That will get your issue some attention. Call it The Washington Bean Party.
10
Anyone who trusts Trump to act on his or her behalf is a fool. He has a long and well-documented history of cheating, stiffing and otherwise ruining his business partners, and he couldn’t care less about anyone but himself. Watch your wallets, farmers.
18
Call me a softy, but I don't wish anyone ill if they were conned by a master con artist. I will however, change my tune, if they vote for another republican and continue to support Trump after he's kicked them in the teeth. Americans need to get on the same page and start caring about each other and stop blaming poor people for their problems. It's the rich man robbing you blind and that is who Trump, a billionaire, really supports. The republicans are a subsidiary of a handful of corrupt billionaires. Vote blue and maybe your kids will have a better future. Vote R again and you may as well forget their future and your own.
22
1. Trump destroys the soybean industry
2. Soybean farmers vote for Trump.
How does it feel, soybean farmers, to keep banging your head against a Trumpian wall?
Hint: It will feel much better if you have the good sense to stop!
17
DJT created the new welfare queens by giving farmers billions in relief on top of billions of subsidies they already receive. Farmers get hit by market and trade conditions then suckle up to the government for more relief......absurd way the system works.
18
I wonder what the Chinese are eating if they dont have their soybeans. There's a lot of would be tofu rotting in the Midwest. Let's see... Noodles? I suppose Norway has lots of sardines to sell. Of course, if the entire Chinese population lurches after another food type, what kind of disruption is that going to cause? What if some enterprising Australian decides to sell them canned kangaroo? How many Australians will have gone into roo farming by this time next year? 50 years from now, will we be talking about the big roo crash of 2023? Billions of pairs of chopsticks are not going to be left idle by an American farming calamity. They are now clacking in a new direction. It just goes to show that you have to keep your clients happy. You need people in office who know how to build stable relationships with clientele and maintain them. I think that there may be subsidies coming out of this, but they will pale beside the economic loss of this one big market.
1
I have read through the comments,
all 860, by 8:47 MST and I am struck,
once again by the "take no prisoners" approach
toward anyone who may have supported Trump by
people who wish that these farmers go bankrupt.
I did not vote for Trump, I would have liked the opportunity
to vote for Bernie as I think Hillary is in cahoots with
Wall Street.
At least these farmers were selling something to China.
They are all what lies between small towns in the Midwest
and the ceaseless Prairie Winds that will blow the towns away once the farmers go bankrupt.
If you want Corporate Farming to take over America...
The New York Times says that the comments are moderated for personal attacks and vile language.
Wishing that a farmer caught in the trade war between
the US and China will go bankrupt is as personal as it
gets and there could be no greater vile use of language.
I am ashamed of the New York Times for printing such comments and I am ashamed of those who call themselves Americans and who wish only
the worst upon farmers who happened to support Trump
rather than Hillary.
5
How can people who wear red “Make America Great Again” caps insist that the pain of lost business and lower profits is worthwhile. How can they know their children will benefit later (the argument Mr. Trump has made) There is no proof the trickle down theory works. Richest get richer and keep what they get. The build bigger fiefdoms (aka gated communities and NYC skyscrapers on billionaires row and off shore tax havens). Everyone household under $200,000/ years is financing the wealth grab by these economic elites . When all US citizens have a sense of domestic security . health an happiness for themselves and their posterity the US delivers constitutional promises. US voters must demand an end to government irresponsibility and financial exploitation by those who spend tax dollars. in 2017 the wealthiest 1 percent of American households own 40 percent of the country's wealth, The top 20 percent of households actually own a whopping 90 percent of the stuff in America — Their average net worth? $3 million.That leaves just 10 percent for 80 percent of US Citizens. The next 20 percent of households (average net worth: $273,600) have 8%. Figure it out. Who are you voting for? Who needs a tax break? Who has the income? If you don't know this you haven been lied to. SOURCE: washingtonpost dot com 2017/12/06
6
Today we vote. The plight of North Dakota soy bean farmers that the president’s tariff policy towards China has precipitated is payback for the gullibility that many ND and other voters showed when buying into his rhetoric. Trump is a city boy; knows nothing about farming and little about international trading, save what people tell him. He’s a vengeful man and plays win-lose games. His attitude on trade emulates his attitude about immigrants and asylum seekers. How many meat processing plants in the Great Plains states need foreign workers to make things go? Well, let ICE deport them in the middle of work. How many out-of-work Americans are rushing to fill those meat packing jobs? Ditto for jobs processing domestic crab and shrimp. Who is benefitting from the president’s trade policies? Wealthy Wall Street traders and people who benefit from his top-of-the-heap tax reductions. Who pays interest on the loans farmers must take to purchase seed and equipment? Not the Wall Street investment firms. Not the White House.
While soy bean farmers are acutely aware of the markets and of how to plant and raise a crop, they might now invest more time in studying Washington politics. Trump promised he would drain the “swamp”. He is now the Swamp Master. MAGA?
22
I was born in the suburbs of New York City and have lived here my entire life. We New Yorkers know Trump, and we know he has never done anything for anyone unless somehow it was doing something even better for himself. Moreover it is so plainly obvious that he is far from being smart. To “trust” this unintelligent con man to be helping you or your prodigy with his racist trade war concepts is the epitome of ignorance.
There are many things I love about our country, and the great bounty of sustenance that comes from our land and hardworking farmers is near the top of my list. So I hope those who farmers support Mr Trump now wake up quickly to his con and simple minded plans that are destined to fail and begin to support someone, anyone, who has a better heart and a better head for all Americans.
28
So, in this age of MAGA and America first, I ask:
Just why are we strip-mining our glorious, beautiful soils to feed the Chinese? Let them grow their own.
10
This entire mess has come about because of some twenty-something producer at Fox decided to do 3 minutes on tariffs.
Trump watched it and hours later started his twittering on how “ a trade war is easy to win”.
Such huge damage from one small person.
Farmers supported the circus clown known as trump and when the circus comes to town in 2020 and the farmers can’t afford to buy a ticket to the show, trump will subsidize their ticket. I don’t think Farmer Jack will find the show as entertaining as the last time around. No sympathy here.
10
the funniest part of the people complaining about Native Americans and the land in Minnesota is most of the immigrants that came to this country got free land. I know this because my ancestors settled in Minnesota and I have the deed.
15
” Some farmers in North Dakota say they trust Mr. Trump to negotiate in the nation’s interest. Mr. Karel said many of his customers wear red “Make America Great Again” caps and insist that the pain of lost business and lower profits is worthwhile. They say they’ll suffer now so their children benefit later — echoing the argument Mr. Trump has made.”
They hope!
“The Trump administration said in August that it would distribute $3.6 billion to soybean farmers to offset the decline in market prices. The subsidy rate of 82.5 cents per bushel, however, covers less than half of the losses facing North Dakota farmers at current market prices.”
And these voters ravenously eat up the Trump lies about immigrants on the dole? Who do they think that they are kidding?
18
They seem to like Trump now suffer the consequences.
12
Hey, if you're gonna stop abortion, who cares if you're farm goes under and your children end up penniless? You're doing God's work. Vote for Trump again.
21
Good luck to the farmers!
Alas, China is digging in and Trump is playing with "house's money."
Sadly, you reap what you have sown.
23
Canada is shipping its own soybeans to China at high prices and then buying American beans at lower prices to meet its domestic demand.
You gotta love it.
And yet, our farmers continue to blindly support Donald Trump.
I say it over and over and over again.
Be careful what you wish for because it might come true.
34
I don't know how much the farmers in Wisconsin are suffering. I asked a friend who is a farmer, and who happens to grow soybeans, when and how does he expect to see the subsidies Trump promised farmers to offset the loses they will now suffer because Trump thought trade wars were "easy to win" ...if you were a big enough bully. My friend just shrugged his shoulders.
In Wisconsin we are providing Taiwan-based Foxconn with a $4 Billion dollar subsidy to build a Generation 10.5 LCD manufacturing plant. 'A great deal,' Trump declared! (That plan was just scaled back to a much smaller Gen 6 plant.) If it ever actually starts producing products, I can't wait for China to drop some high tariffs on its products to punch Trump and Taiwan in the nose, as well as fairly objecting as to why this Taiwanese company is being unfairly helped against its competitors to the tune of 4 billion dollars by the Dairy State?
Because of weather (and now climate change), I don't mind subsidizing farmers so that they can still stay in business despite a few bad years of bad weather. There is no good reason for any government to subsidize manufacturing businesses.
Trump inherited a thriving a US economy, and asked himself, "How could I muck this up and make it all about me while displaying my great business genius?"
I only wished Trump had paid some attention while he was in school.
15
@Think Great point about tariffs potential impact on the great Fox-CON plant, always advertised and sold as spawning "between 2,000 and 13,000 jobs" or "up to 13,000 jobs." Gee can't you narrow down that estimate just a tad? As for the soybeans, I rubbed my eyes when I saw that $8+ a bushel is the break-even point for those farmers. That used to be a great year, and may well be again once Brazil and Argentina get cranking. I guess it isn't good politics to point out that Trump is siphoning $3 billion in tax dollars to mitigate the damage he's causing among his most ardent supporters. Hey, send $250k my way and maybe I'll become a Trump supporter too. But make it quick; I'm voting in 7 hours.
18
Let all Trump followers beware: he has zero understanding of economics. As such, as evidence, his imposition of tariffs are guaranteed to cause more US economic hardship than help it. It's an economic fact supported by the most progressive and enlightened economists. Restraint of free trade invariably hurts both sides and, perhaps, one more than the other. Especially the one with comparative disadvantage (e.g. US wages and government entitlements). Trump hasn't helped his constituents, he has damaged them significantly.
21
Many of these farmers could still be suffering from Trump's manufactured crisis long after he is out of office. There's a reason prior presidents have been measured in their approach to dealing with the trade imbalance with China -- because there is no easy answer, certainly no kneejerk solution that risks peoples livelihoods, as Trump is doing.
29
As ye sow, so shall ye reap
None of this was a surprise to anyone.
22
These farmers, and to be honest Trump voters in general, voted their fears. There was no hope, no higher aspirations, just fear. That fear is marked by their bigotry, their homophobia, their fundamentalism (which shows they have more in common with ISIS than any would admit), their fetishizing of guns, and their burgeoning xenophobia. If this is the "heartland" the heartland is in the end stage of congestive heart failure. We also need to remember that their form of farming exists only because of the billions in farm subsidies we provide by our taxes. With only a couple of exceptions, these deep red states and the people in them represent the true welfare queens of America. They may be the "bread basket" of America, but the rest of us are their piggy bank. Ironically these farms couldn't exist without our tax money yet they hate government yet they hate government, go figure.
51
""There simply aren't enough soybeans in the world to satisfy Chinese demand" if you take out US supplies, said Michael Magdovitz, a commodities analyst at investment bank Rabobank in London. "
China may soon regret slapping tariffs on US soybeans
https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/01/economy/china-soybeans-trade-war/index.html
1
@ehickey But Argentina and Brazil will be celebrating. They would love to take over the Chinese Soybean market, and despite what someone may have told you, they have plenty of land to do just that.
21
I thought Republicans didn't like government picking losers and winners. Isn't this exactly what Donald Trump does?
24
Attention soybean and other mid-west farmers. (I think you are reading this.)
You voted him in. He said he would cut off your exports. For once, he told the truth. You reap what you sow.
Now you will have years worth of rotting products. That is your problem. You ticked the box.
Now you can vote tomorrow. It is not going to get any better with him and his cohorts.
Dump Trump's friends. They are not yours.
42
So true, but then there was the Arizona cotton farmer on television suffering from the tariffs but fully supporting DJT because “he tells it like it is” #bewildered
3
Can you imagine the stench when the big rot starts.
Dump them on the White House lawn.
20
Logic. Who pays for a tariff? "We are going to slap a tarriff on all imported steel and aluminum."
Okay, who pays? The EU doesn't pay. The Chinese don't pay. Our tariff,, we pay. As a matter of fact,, we pay twice. It now costs 25 % more to buy steel,,, and the US steel manufacturers raised their prices immediately 25% also. So when a tariff is applied all steel rises 25% and we,,, we get to pay all of it. And,, if we use steel to manufacture a product to sell over seas,,, our costs,, and hence our price must be higher as well.
We pay. We pay. We pay three times. The tax,, we are the ones who pay it. The increased cost of domestic steel. And we pay because now it is harder to sell over seas.
We have been buying steel and selling soybeans and corn. And now we are paying more for anything with steel in it, fewer jobs because of more expensive exports,,, and we sell no corn or soybeans.
Tariffs were tried at the beginning of the Great Depression, 1929 and 1930,,,, and all they did was dig the hole deeper, and deeper. Read history.
32
Or elect a Resident who doesn’t study history. And doesn’t read.
5
Of course, these farmers have to pee in a cup and pass to get their handout, just like Republicans want for other government assistance, right?
38
Negotiations with China will get very difficult if Trump loses the House. If Trump also loses the Senate negotiations with get impossible as China can just wait him out. The wait will not be long.
15
They better not be bellyaching. Our coastal, elitist taxes are paying for their bailout.
53
Farmers have relied on export markets that have required decades to develop, and it will not be a short term proposition to restore these markets. By the time export markets are restored, many farmers will have been bankrupted, and plutocrats will have acquired their farm land. These are the long term gains Trump has conned farmers into believing.
29
I hope that I'm not too late to short soybean futures!
4
The pic has been passed around locally. The place where these are located already verified these have been sold and were just being held.
1
Right and there are no unsold beans sitting around spoiling because they don’t have a buyer.
5
One of the best reports on the culture, economics and political environment of Midwest farming. The comment section also reflective of same. Well done. Wisconsin native checking in.
9
And yet they will continue to vote for Trump and expound the great things Trump is doing for the economy... sigh...
32
I am not a fan of nuclear war but I would rather buy a few more nukes than give tax dollars to these folks.
6
To all those who criticize the Trump tariffs, because of the consequent pain of these farmers, I say grow up.
For a nation to go forward it must often embark on policies that might penalize a small segment of the population. John Stuart Mill believed that we should strive to provide the greatest good for the greatest number. The number of Americans who will profit from tariffs exceeds the number of people who will suffer.
For example, did we give up and not fight Nazi Germany because some Americans would die in the fighting. Of course not. We believed we had to sacrifice some Americans.
For decades large farmers have profited by agricultural price supports. More specifically, they were paid money to refrain from growing crops. This was used to support the prices of commodities --- never mind that it made food costs rise for people who had to eat. Also, most of the price support payments were made to large farmers.
Polluters are often given permission to pollute because we pay homage to the goal of ever increasing economic activity. If someone's house becomes a toxic dump we grin and bear it all in the name of our Lord and Savior economic growth.
Actually, I wouldn't be so crass as to support the defilement of one's property with pollutants in the name of the greater industrial good, but I think that for the sake of the vanquished and opioid-oppressed, unemployed rust belt, I would certainly stomach some hard times for soy bean farmers.
@David Gottfried
"For decades large farmers have profited by agricultural price supports. More specifically, they were paid money to refrain from growing crops"........You must be an old person. I think that was 50 years ago.
7
Trump says “we’re much closer” because he knows that his decision to impose sanctions was a purely arbitrary one made based on a completely misdirected trade policy can be easily reversed. He’ll reverse his decision after a 1-on-1 meeting with Xi of China, and like the NAFTA negotiations, after which he’ll proclaim victory for the American Farmers. This is a game of “chicken,” but the farmers, not Trump, will be the losers.
15
Why do farmers vote consistently against their own self-interest?
20
Nice photos, kudos to Dan Koeck.
6
Did they vote for Trump?
If they did, I don't feel sorry for them.
24
Literally 30 years of hard, hard work opening markets in China has been destroyed, and farmers still "hope" that Trump will just turn it around with some spectacular deal?! Talk about living in fantasy land. I highly doubt this market will ever be open to the United States again, and if it is, it will take a generation to accomplish. As Trump's foolish tax cut drives up interest rates, we're looking at the break even point for soybeans going north of $12 while the price falls to around $4. We're only watching the opening credits of this disaster movie - there are many years of pain and tragedy ahead for farmers. What was so carefully built has been so easily demolished.
37
He’s a successful businessman who never held public office before winning the Presidency. He’s coming into power after an electoral college win. He did it by beating an out-of-touch New York opponent.
Once in office, he launches a vast trade war, promising to stand up for America’s heartland, with 890 increased tariffs in total. He even slashes immigration levels to America by 90%, while cracking down on illegal immigration through deportations targeting as many as 1.8 million people.
You may think I’m talking about Donald Trump.
I’m actually describing Herbert Hoover, the 31st President. The similarities between Trump and the man who saw a Great Depression happen under his watch are eerie.
Hoover, a Republican, won election in 1928 with a promise to raise tariffs on agricultural imports imports to help heavily indebted farmers hit by falling commodity and land prices. The duties were extended to include manufacturers as lawmakers traded favors for 18 months. The stock market collapsed in October 1929. The Smoot Hawley Act raised tariffs on imports of almost 900 items, everything from sugar and eggs to clothespins and oil drums. Tariffs on affected imports initially rose by about 15 percent to 20 percent, to more than 40 percent. As prices collapsed due to the Great Depression, the average tariff rate effectively rose further. That’s because many of the duties were expressed as a fixed dollar amount by volume or weight, not as a percentage of the import price
34
That's it! So frightening.
"Those who do not remember history......"
6
Thank you for this explanation.
6
Jim Sutter, chief executive of the U.S. Soybean Export Council, said he was focused on persuading Indians to eat more chicken. The council, which already provides funding to Indian trade groups, is planning to back an advertising campaign. “People in India will eat more protein as the economy grows, but our job is to speed that up,” Mr. Sutter said.
Am I the only one that finds this plan reprehensible?
22
Aren’t Indians predominantly vegetarian?
And yes, I found his idea reprehensible.
10
Putting one's trust in the business acumen of a man who has declared bankruptcy on multiple occasions (including failed casinos for gosh sakes!) is truly foolhardy. Wake up and smell the coffee people!
21
The American heartland will suffer for years at the hands of Trump. His legacy will be the final hallowing out of the Plains, as the few remaining young people seek steady work in the cities with the rest of the immigrants.
Let the school of hard knocks deliver today’s lesson.
19
It seems that North Dakota farmers could vote tomorrow for Heidi Hiekamp and send Trump and big message. Right now Native Americans cant vote.
12
In the meantime, maybe these farmers should vote! (I know it says my location is NY, but, hey, I grew up in a small town in the rural Midwest...)
5
Chinese food is simply no good at all without soy sauce. China will soon capitulate in the trade war because of President Trump's astute read of this situation.
@Doc Who I lived in China for 12 years and never saw soy sauce at a restaurant.
20
I grew up in farm country in the Texas Panhandle.
My grandparents always voted Democrat, they worked hard and were independent.
Today's modern farmers are Republicans and farm crop insurance and all the handouts they can get while they bash entitlement programs. They are recipients of one of the WORST entitlement programs in the world, THE US Subsidized farm program that ruins small farmers the world over.
Stand by your man Trump as he takes you down with his tariffs!
35
... One possible Chinese response could be to greatly expand soybean and corn production worldwide by providing subsidized credit and capital to areas such as South America and Africa that could be used for expanding soybean and corn production.
During the colonial era there were many very large farms owned mostly by Europeans in sub-Sahara Africa. Today, risk/reward profit maximizing investors would tend to avoid investing in large capital-intensive agricultural operations that could be subject to expropriation or the whims of warlords, as was the ultimately case with many of the large farms that had been established during the colonial era.
China could easily decide, either for retaliatory or food security reasons, to have its state controlled or influenced entities to advance the funds needed to develop large efficient capital-intensive farms. There are many areas in the world in addition to South America and Africa that could be used for expanding soybean and corn production, if the money for modern irrigation and advanced farm equipment was made available on very favorable terms by the Chinese.
Russia has recently made available an additional 2.5 million acres of farmland eligible for foreign investment. Russian officials said that they expect most of the farmland to be bought by the Chinese. Chinese officials have also suggested that American farmers would never regain market share lost in a trade war...:"
https://seekingalpha.com/article/4205253
6
I hope that all of those farmers are tired from winning with trump. I also hope that they can hold out till 2020 when maybe we can get rid of him. Otherwise if they can't we're about to become a food importing nation and imagine how the rest of the world will love to sock it to us on import costs and tariffs. The whole country will become a giant Hawaii or Alaska where everything has to be shipped in because all of our farmers have gone bankrupt and the land is lying fallow. Grim vision. But Trump won't care. He'll still be eating caviar unless of course the IRS catches up to him. We can only hope and see what tomorrow (literally) brings.
22
"They say they’ll suffer now so their children benefit later — echoing the argument Mr. Trump has made."
Are Trumps children suffering?
I hope every last bean rots, then we will see how the support holds up.
22
It infinitely confounding how Republicans in general and Trump in particular are able to get people to vote against their self interest, as well as detesting the program types that they directly benefit from. If your income comes from subsidies and free trade, you really should think twice before voting for an anti-trade nationalist, and you should be able to see the potential outcomes before you pull the voting lever. I'd say let them eat tofu, but we must find a way to guide our fellow Americans to the light. I thought loss aversion would be enough.
12
As predicted, the Trade Wars that Trump boasted were so easy to win have affected those the most that supported him, yet, for some reason he has convinced them to continually endure the pain with the illusion that it will be better for them over the long run. It is always easy for those that make these draconian decisions knowing they will never be affected by them.
So now we have a situation much like the milk producers who have over produced milk they can't sell which ultimately, drives down prices to the point the farmer's costs have exceeded what they receive in payment for their product resulting in many shutting down their farms.
How long does Trump think these soybean farmers can hold out and, in the meantime, even if they can, they will never gain back what they lost.
14
Part of me feels bad for these farmers who were conned by 45. Another part of me feels like they rolled the dice knowing what they would get. It is very troubling that young farmers are severely struggling to make ends meet and this article mentions counseling needed for suicide risk. But didn't they already get a basil out?
6
Thank you Mr. Trump - this is one trade initiative the CDN farmers approve of - thanks for your export market - and access to your produce for our domestic market - at reduced prices. Definitely a win / win for our farmers - keep up the 'good' work.
11
"It's easy to win trade wars." And if the rural Mid-west insists on supporting a president who lives on Fantasy Island and knows as much about international trade as he knows about anything else, those good farmers can continue so much to enjoy all that winning they voted for that they'll soon get tired of it, as the president so accurately predicted.
11
"Trade wars are easy to win." Or so President Trump told America. If his MAGA hatted faithful in farm country think they are absorbing short-term pain in exchange for long-term benefits, they are delusional and don't realize they are supporting a Trumpian whim dressed up as policy.
17
I know most of the soy beans are used for animal feed, or added into processed food. However, when I go into local grocery stores (New York City and Long Island) and pick up a bag of edamame they're coming from Asia (Vietnam, Thailand, China). Are the ones grown by my fellow Americans (that I would love to give them my dollars) not fit for human consumption? Maybe they could switch to more palatable versions; make more tofu and soy milk. Lightly salted soy beans are a great snack that are less messy than most nuts.
5
Lived in Soy Bean Country of North West Ohio for many years prior to retirement. Farmers in that area believed the nonsense by Trump and now are paying the price. Their Congressman has always followed the leader and this time it is really hurting. As others as pointed out agriculture depends on Global Markets and we can't afford to subsidize the farmers when Trump's Tax cuts have destroyed our ability to pay off our loans from banks. Farmers will start seeing auctions during the winter as financing for seed, federalizer, herbicides, fuel and equipment become unavailable. Sorry state of affairs however they always forget when the good time come back.
22
It would be ungracious and unpolitical to laugh at these people, but it is really not hard to feel some schadenfreude. They are getting just what they deserve and while they take such false pride in being self sufficient, self creating, they will cry for a bailing out from the government. The problem is that they, nobody, can undo the damage they a people like them have done to our country. Trump is just the instrument, the symptom, these narrow minded, selfish, un-Americans are the problem throughout the country. I know this seems like a harsh comment but stop and consider what has happened to our wonderful country. It's only going to get worse.
33
@Ralph
I have never been to North Dakota and I've never been a farmer. The people interviewed here seem to have a razor-sharp understanding of their crops, their methods, their markets, and their personal stakes and growing losses all around. We'd do better as a country to try to work together to fuel the local economies and general well being regionally, with more bipartisan national awareness of the global economy. The example of the past two years is a nightmare that we all can learn from. This is why the DNC strategy to campaign everywhere is so important: in parts of the country where Fox News is the default info source, it's possibly refreshing for brave, outspoken progressive voices to wade in and offer alternative, uplifting ideas and policies that shine a light on the stilted, backward-looking policies of this administration. To begin with, we have no ambassadors in many of the countries where these farmers could sell their crops. How dumb is that?
3
So Trump bailed the soybean farmers out with multi-billions of USA taxpayer dollars. Nice work, DT, in keeping down the growing deficit.
WHAT? That didn't work?
And now the Chinese have increased their soybean farming to side-step USA production tariffs! Doh
Trump is not a farmer, or even has a clue about farming.
I hope farmers in the USA realize this on the eve of voting...
Trump will bankrupt farmers and ultimately the USA (morally and financially).
15
@GP..."So Trump bailed the soybean farmers out with multi-billions of USA taxpayer dollars."....I grow soybeans. Haven't seen a penny.
1
Too bad the farming states that will be clobbered by the easily winnable trade war won't have a ballot with a proposition questioning: "Are you tired of winning yet?"
17
@Theodore R
I am confused with this whole issue since if the farmers were already doing well with no tariffs, what made them think they could do even better when tariffs were placed on their largest customer?
All this sounds like is that in this ongoing trade battle with China, this group of Trump supporters have been
nothing more than "sacrificial lambs" for Trump's ego.
4
We elected a reality TV star because he told us he was a successful businessman.
He was a brand manager who put himself first and America second but we trusted him to ‘make America great again.’
He has cheated on his wives and has had more failed businesses than marriages. He defaulted on loans to banks and he has been widely accused of reneging on payments to small-business vendors even after they did fulfilled their contractual obligations. He reached an out-of-court settlement with 39,000 students (roughly equal to one out of every two people in Bismark, ND) when he was accused of defrauding them. He hired non-union immigrants to work on his buildings and during the debates admitted that he used unsanctioned Chinese steel to build them. He said he could not show us his taxes because he has been under audit for years which, in retrospect, wa a symptom not an excuse. Before he left NY and wanted votes he was pro-abortion and against guns. Any gun. It was clear during the primaries and during the actual race that he did not really understand how international trade imbalances works and does not even know whether or not we have one with Canada. Also, he’s been accused of cheating at golf.
But we trusted him and on Tuesday we will enter a polling station and support everyone on his ticket. And why not, he’s giving $3.6B to farmers with the promise of more to come to wash over his mistakes even though somehow this must be Obama’s fault.
25
My feeling has been that most often, those at the top of the heap have indiscriminately crawled over, scratched, scraped, stomped on, and otherwise cheated their way to the top; some exceptions, but rarely in politics.
Trump is no Cinderella story...more like the ugly sister....
3
I guarantee those farmers voted for Trump. Think they "feel great" yet?
7
#45 doesn't care about you, N.D . . . or women, or Latinos, or Christians, or Muslims, or the poor . . . or anyone else.
He only uses your convictions (to vote on single issues, or for the fear of single issues) to feed his ego (or some enormous hole in his persona, who knows?). And he will not stop until 55 M twitter followers becomes 336 M (current number of twitter followers) or, until you vote him out of office.
When will people learn?
We have elected the person least likely to serve our country, the least prepared government employee. An intern in any portion of your municipal government has more intent to service your needs than #45, and is likely better prepared.
21
Don’t fret, soybean farmers, Trump will bail you out with some “emergency” assistance, solving the problem he caused by wasting the taxpayers’ money, just like he’s doing with immigration.
11
This is the way it has been going for the last 40 years. Republicans run on pro patria nativist garbage and fiscal responsibility, they win, they inherit a strong economy, they wreck it with tax cuts for rich people and profligate spending, they lose to democrats who fix their mess, they wait four years, run again on....and on and on and on...
24
@Michael Judge Exactly.
1
Soybeans are just the first lost market for America under a man whose business model is bankruptcy.
The losses will mount until the nation is bankrupt.
Well played Putin.
24
Looking at those soybeans in temporary storage got me to thinking that might be the solution for the wall on the southern border.
11
@RNS Better yet, create jobs by first making them into bricks of tofu.
I already wrote a comment, but after reading through the comment section I’d like to say that all of the commenters saying “ND farmers are in trouble” are as ignorant about politics as they claim those farmers are. Here’s how it goes:
1. Trump’s trade war hurts farmers
2. Trump demands subsidy for farmers
3. Left says “no way, you caused this mess!”
4. Right wing media blames left for collapse of soybean farming
5. Trump wins again, everyone else loses
What I want to know is why this isn’t completely obvious to the left.
6
@Josh Wilson, you failed to read the article. The bail out is not going to save them. Many farms are going to belly up because the bail out doesn't cover the loss. And now they have lost their biggest buyer, China, forever.
6
@Josh Wilson
The fact of the matter is that Trump has no knowledge of finance or trade and these farmers have really just served as "sacrificial lambs" to feed his ego. I am not sure how one would come up with the conclusion that Trump wins because ultimately the farmers lose and so could a portion of the economy that might never come back at least to what it was before these senseless tariffs were implemented in the first place. What did the soybean farmers have to gain with Trump's tariffs? China, by far, has been their biggest customer and they were able to make a good living. Now much of that business is gone not returning for the foreseeable future.
The longer these trade wars continue the more that businesses and people that supported him could suffer. Ultimately, time runs out, farmers and other businesses go under and nobody wins, not even Trump.
5
Farmer Karel says that farmers trust Trump’s plans will bring a better future to their children. Fact- Farmers’ children will be paying the $ trillions deficits forever resulting from Trump/GOP massive tax cuts for ultra wealthy. Fact- Climate change will destroy farmlands forever. Fact- Trade wars have only losers. Please do tell us farmer Karel. How will your children be better off with Trump?
18
Wait-one other thing occurred to me after reading this article:
Isn’t this the president who enacted these tariffs because the “rest of the world is ripping us off”?
And now, because of his tariffs to stop that, Canada and other soybean producing countries are making billions selling their crops at record highs and replacing domestic consumption with bargain basement US soybeans? Or buying and reselling US beans at a huge profit?
Representing essentially an enormous gift to the rest of the world both coming and going?
HAHAHAHAHA!
Somebody played a joke on somebody. A multi-billion dollar sell-the-family-farm-cause-we’re-broke kinda joke that doesn’t sound very funny to me, really.
8
Soybeans are edible. I eat them regularly, but you have to go to an "Oriental" grocery to find them.
Once dried, they keep indefinitely.
Just put a "Grown in Canada" label on them...
Well they should have expected this sort of thing when they voted for trump.
2
No problem. Keep supporting him ... you still have 6% left. He's going to make your lives great again by intimidating your customers into buying what they can grow themselves or buy from more reliable sources ... don't let this minor setback stop you from believing his promises.
5
Seems Trump is okay with farmers sacrificing, but what is Trump sacrificing?
6
@Alex Cody
Check his business history. Aside from the tens of millions of dollars he was able to extract in taxpayer
subsidies, much like these farmers, who basically have just been sacrificial lambs for his ego, he stiffed many small businesses out of money and forced them to sue him for non-payment.
In many ways, he is doing the same thing to these farmers, yet, while money is coming out of their pocket, somehow he is still able to convince them not to worry, everything will work out.
3
Ignorance about being able to force the type of trade deals that would be totally fair, in a global market, where other countries around the world, especially in South America, etc. grow huge amounts of soybeans, will only result in long term losses. If DT and his administration would of been smart, which they aren't, they would of waited until after Christmas, during the winter to directly negotiate, not using a tit for tat, that has resulted in utter disaster for the lucrative soybean market. Of course, DT is neither a poker player, nor an intelligent businessman, so what would one expect? I'm afraid that this stalemate could be a long term disaster for farmers, and ultimately the cities, and states, that depend on agriculture income to stabilize the economy in the Midwest, etc.
7
Due Trump Tariffs unduly hit soybean farmers ?
Numbers please!
USDA.gove
Farm Business Income
Average Net Cash Farm Income for U.S. Farm Businesses Forecast Down in 2018
Farm specialization Average NCFI, 2018F Change in average NCFI, 2017-2018, in %
Units : Dollars Percent
Wheat $85,900 -6.5
Corn $131,100 -6.8
Soybeans $78,400 -8.8
Cotton $232,200 -5.7
Specialty crops $186,100 -12.2
Other crops $63,500 -10.6
Fact
Projected farm income for soybean is down, but LESS than specialty crops and other crops
Now lets compare this to live stock
Average net cash farm income (NCFI) for farm businesses specializing in animals/animal products production, 2018F compared with 2017 Farm specialization
Average NCFI, 2018F Change in average NCFI, 2017-2018F
Units: Dollars Percent
Cattle/calf $18,700 -27.2
Hogs $199,400 -25.3
Poultry $92,800 -5.8
Dairy $144,100 -40.3
Other livestock $12,600 -28.0
Soybean farmers are BETTER of than any farmer raising animals.
Mr. Trump frequently complains that the media are biased.
NO fan of Trump, but Mr. Appelbaum's selective reporting, accepted without an editiorialc check on how it compares to other farm products, proves that Mr. Trump, in this report, is correct.
Data
https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/farm-economy/farm-sector-income-finances/farm-business-income/
Disclosure:
I worked on a farm, age 8 to 15
3
@Woof...these are interesting numbers but of little interest to the point of this article. Mr. Appelbaum appears to be interested in the effects of the tariffs on soy bean farmers. Consequently, he writes about the losses affecting soy bean farmers. I have no clue how this in any way reflects media bias. Any idea why hog and dairy farmers are losing so much of their income this year? I would like to know.
3
@Woof
Perhaps, but the numbers you refer to only cover up until the end of August 2018 and I am sure as time goes on and the trade wars continue, the losses will increase.
As far as Trump being correct, it would seem the people quoted in the column are conveying a considerably more ominous scenario, one that doesn't show up in a government report.
2
@Woof, so farmers are now losing on everything? That's what your numbers seem to imply.
1
Sorry about the soybeans. But after all, everything Trump touches dies. The farmers should have seen this coming.
As HL Mencken put it, the American people deserve to get what they voted for, and they deserve to get it good and hard.
17
This reminds me of Health Care, when Trump wanted to repeal the ACA (except GOP Congress backed him on that). Trump didn't know squat about that ACA, but was led around by the nose by McConnell and Ryan. He had no interest in the specifics of the ACA. If he could smell a "win", he was all for it.
I think this is true of trade too. He tells people it's easy to win a trade war. A lot of people are still holding on to hope that he is telling the truth and he knows what he is talking about. I don't think he does. He has been a con all his life. This leopard will not change his spots, and he continues to care only for himself.
10
Wind farms and solar are two uses of the land that would be used domestically.
4
Good. Elections have consequences. The Dakotas voted for Trump - they can live with the consequences. If Ma and Pa Kettle lose the farm as a result, so be it.
21
Farmers will be fine. They are on socialism. Trump has already given them billions in aid.
18
No mention of the fact that since Trump imposed his sanctions everywhere that our imports have risen dramatically? He hasn't closed the import deficit, he's increased it.
8
@JFMACC...You might also have mentioned that under Trump the budget deficit has jumped dramatically. Seems there is no way to make up for the tax cut which gave 85% away to corporations.
4
They'd better be figuring out what crops they can plant from now until forever, because once China finds another source for their soybeans they won't be coming back to the US market, even after Trump is gone. The next administration can remove the tariffs, but the lesson that the USA is no longer necessary will not be unlearned. China and Russia want nothing more than they want to make the USA irrelevant, and Trump's trade wars are playing right into that.
22
But, but, but, the Clown is strong on trade! He's really showing the Chinese they can't mess with us! Trade wars are good!
11
Once upon a time in 1861 the new Confederate government tried to force England and France to support them by banning export of southern cotton unless they recognized the Confederacy and used their navies to prevent the Union's threatened blockade. It may have been the largest mistake contributing to their loss of the war. Why?
The bales from 1861 rotted on the docks as European mills suffered, but in 1862 the English and French planted massive cotton crops in Egypt and elsewhere in Africa and Asia. By the time the Union blockade actually became effective in early 1863, Southern cotton was not needed to keep foreign mills open. Meanwhile, the South had much less money to buy the war supplies which could utterly shifted the key battles of 1862 from Shiloh to the Seven Days to Antietam.
China can buy soybeans from Egypt too.
18
Unfortunately for these unsustainable agribusinesses... er, I mean quaint salt-of-the-earth "farmers" as even this article would have you imagine... no one really needs your industrial modular foodstuff units... er, I mean "soybeans"... anymore. Time to find a land use model that actually works without mega subsidies and unit economics that essentially equal those of any polluting extractive industry.
11
I sold soybeans for $ 10.50 a bu. Today the price at that same terminal is $8.35. Last year the total U.S. soybean production was 4.39 billion bu. Which means that the economic loss to U.S. farmers for soybeans alone amounts to $ 9.4 billion dollars. When farmers vote for someone from New York, guess what happens?
17
@W.A. Spitzer: This wouldn't have happened under a president Hillary Clinton and she's also from New York.
11
@W.A. Spitzer -- don't blame NY for Trump. He lost his home city by astounding margins and he lost the state bigly too.
Only four elected presidents have lost their own state, Trump included.
7
More like what happens when you vote for a reality tv star. Drama, drama, drama.
7
Farmers and workers who support Trump: Greetings from farmers and workers from the rest of world. Thanks, and keep up the good work.
23
Farmers need to remember what Trump said, "Winning trade wars is easy". He said that about health care as well but walked that back when questioned by telling the reporter that it's really complicated.
Seems to me that if he's going to mess with peoples lives he might want to be a bit more informed.
Good luck to the US farmers.
14
If any journalists or journalism students with an interest in agriculture, economics, etc... are reading all of this, this, ladies and gentlemen, is your cue to do a deep dive into the realities of life in these United States. How much of our population is clueless as to where they (literally) get their bread and butter from, and which side of the bread is buttered, and how.
In this instance, it would be helpful to see how much money is spent by the feds to promote farming in these states, and how much of that money is raised as taxes from coastal states. This is not a partisanship issue, it is a long-term plan issue. If current trends continue, climate change will cause flooding in coastal states and severe agricultural downturns in the interior. With the piling on debt at every level money will be hard to come by for relief. The coastal states make more revenue per capita (nothing to do with individualism, character and all the hokey stuff, it is just efficiencies of scale). So when monies are needed to "shore" up coastal cities, money for ag subsidies will be harder to come by. But food can be imported from Russia or Brazil or elsewhere with stabler weather that year. What will happen to the ag regions? Can they survive a few bad years? Or will the Dust Bowl return? Or will Okies and Dakotans, Nebraskans end up in caravans to California, Oregon and Washington? People think rising seas will move people inward, the reverse might result from climate change due to economics.
14
@Suppan.....And if there are Ag subsidies, what does that mean for what people on the coasts have to pay for food? You might want to think about that.
Right on!...great point!
I just read a book review in The New Yorker about the end of WWI in Germany one hundred years ago, 11/11/1918. German civilian actually believed that Germany had won the war as its troops marched home in celebration from the Armistice. But the continuing naval blockade reduced that nation to starvation and ruin leading up to the Treaty of Versailles five months latter, and the realization that they had been conned and lied to. Reminds me of the situation described in the article, those soybean farmers are just getting too tired of winning, winning, winning! Too much winning with Donald Trump.
20
@Patrick
Also, remember what happened in Germany in the 1930's.
Serves them right for voting for Trump. He couldn't run a business and he can't run a country. Let them show their displeasure tomorrow.
36
Well, if I get duped by a con man, I suffer the consequences, take the financial loss and learn. These farmers were conned by Trump, and they should suffer the financial loses. I am for no government support for them since they despise big government and handouts anyway. Maybe next time they will not be conned by racist, reactionary, ignorant views. Be a man and suffer the results of your actions without whining for handouts.
36
Gladdens my heart no end to hear that ND farmers are squealing, all thanks to the ogre they elected. As farmers should know - you reap what you sow!
35
All the Chinese need to do is renounce the theft of intellectual property.
Is that too much to ask?
1
@MIKEinNYC: Why would they? Trump never apologizes either, and the Chinese aren't the ones duped in this story...
2
@MIKEinNYC
If the Chinese are now buying their soybeans elsewhere, how does renouncing intellectual property theft help the farmers? Answer: It doesn't.
3
@MIKEinNYC
Clearly you don’t realize the US did exactly the dane “theft” from the UK when it was developing as a nation. And subsequent “thefts” from Germany as victor of WW2
1
Same thing is happening to America's nut growers. Pecans, walnuts, almonds.
This is all happening in trump country.
These poor folks who voted for trump still don't seem to realize this is all just a game to him. They are meaningless pawns in a real-time reality show that is meant to feed the ego and enrich its star.
46
Again to quote the 1st lady, "I don't care, do you?" or better yet" let them eat soybeans". You elected a con man and you got conned it's that simple people. I don't feel sorry for you people one bit. I'm not trying to be cruel, I'm just not that dumb to put my business interests in the hands of a man who can't sell vodka, casinos, steak, board games....shall I go on? You are getting what you PAID for and subsidies are a insult to the rest of who have to produce and sell good for a living, getting free money is what these people are all about.
28
Reap what you sow.
19
The old-time phrase “not worth a hill of beans” comes to mind for the meaningless promises and false assurances the Fake President has made to these conned farmers. Sad.
22
It's a global world; Trump and his cohort of bizarre antiquated clowns just don't get it. Trump excels at the con game. All these farmers were taken in. And now they're on the dole. Congratulations. And you get exactly what you deserve, you trusted Mr Trump, see where it got you. Fool you once, shame on him. Fool you twice, shame on you! Vote these guys out asap!
13
This is what happens when you do not know how to negotiate. Trump thinks he can wing it when he does not even know what is involved. He will then try to secretly move money from other government programs to bail out these farmers. Why should Americans pay for his ineptitude. Put on your big boy pants and learn how to discuss ideas and come up with palatable solutions that work for everyone. What a disaster.
13
Move money from existing programs or the tariffs on Chinese goods.
I guess after all the tax cuts it really doesn’t matter.
Hey when you let racism Trump common sense this what you get. It is not by accident that Trump's major support come from the least diverse communities.If you go out of business because your hatred overrules your self preservation you deserve what ever comes.If making America great again causes you to go broke doesn't make you smart but you want to be martyr. It is reminiscent of The American Civil War when poor people fought to maintain Human Bondage It would have helped poor whites in the South to not have free labor. In 1861 rich southern plantation owners manipulated poor white people. In 2018 a rich real estate guy from New York is once again manipulating poor white people.
18
This article hardly mentioned if these soy beaners voted for Trump. A lot of the commenters know the area and the politics. At one end of the spectrum are desperate coalminers who pray that coal will come back even though it kills them and the environment. They are easy prey for Trump because of economics. At this end are successful farmers who voted for Trump because of latent racism.
8
I’m sorry but if they vote for the GOP tomorrow they deserve everything that happens to them as a result. Unfortunately they drag the rest of us down with them.
13
One thing that the marketing company knows that these farmers do not is that Chinese are more nationalistic than Americans. The customers will not come back to buying American soyabeans or corn or whatever for years to come.
If you are soyabean farmer in America, switch crops to something that Americans buy. No one else wants your produce anymore. Especially China.
10
Poetic justice to see Trump voters suffer and bear the consequences of their misguided votes. Too bad the rest of us have to suffer too.
11
To my fellow citizens in the Dakotas:
Keep voting for Trump and the GOP and expect to leave a mess for your children and grandchildren. Expect to have a miserable old age.
I have it on good authority that God is not a Republican or a Democrat, so you might want to consider carefully who you send to the Legislature, the Governor's Mansion, the US House and Senate and to the White House in 2020. Elections have consequences and had Trump lost in 2016, you would not be facing the collapse in the market for your soybeans.
The good news is that human problems have human solutions and democracy allows you to put a leash on Trump- called a Democratic Congress. Your choice, your vote, our future.
20
North Dakota voted for Trump and mostly votes Republican. They are getting what they deserve. Michael Skadden
9
"Mr. Karel said many of his customers wear red “Make America Great Again” caps and insist that the pain of lost business and lower profits is worthwhile." The redcaps will reap what they sow. But if they cannot sell what they reap, let us see how long they feel that their lost business and lower profits have been worthwhile.
9
American farmers, propped up by endless government subsidies, take massive permanent losses as they attempt to force the world to play on a level field.
Just too funny. You can't invent this stuff.
Boycott all that is American.
2
When will people realize that demonizing China is unproductive? Trump wanted to flex his muscles and stoke the Sinophobia of his supporters on the international stage and bit off more than he could chew. Now those supporters are reaping what they sowed.
6
If Trump lies come out with every third word how can Farmers feel he's telling them the truth when he says he's got their best interest at heart? Making it Great Lie after Lie.
Must be fake news and photo shopped pictures of grain piles.
4
It appears to me these farmers got in bed with Trump and if you lay down with a dog with fleas you’ll get fleas. There should be no subsidy other than the joy of their vote and the repercussions thereby.
Those farmers who think Trump will save America for their children have not seen how Trump saved those in Atlantic City. He didn’t. They went bankrupt and he didn’t.
7
Whatever ones's opinion on the story: Dan Koeck's photos are beautiful.
10
@Elizabeth A At least two of us now (see my comment a few entries below).
How are subsidies even justifiable in the Republican ideology?? How is a subsidy for farmers different from subsidies to working families who need food stamps? I guess subsidies to white people are just not welfare but “what they are due.” /sarcasm. What Trump’s tariff wars is doing is distorting the market to such a detrimental extent that it may have unforeseen consequences. If so-called free-trade lovers think Trump is behaving like a Capitalist, they need a refresher course on what laissez-faire is.
9
Hmmm... We sell agricultural products to the Chinese and they sell manufactured products to us. Isn't that indicative of the relationship between an underdeveloped country and a developed country (or a colony and its mother country)? I think this century will eventually be known as the Chinese Century. Bye-bye, America! You've had a nice run.
3
Sigh. I hope sooner or later the farmers will connect the idea of their soybeans not selling to Trump demonizing China and starting a trade war for political purposes. Then maybe connect the idea of these soybeans still not selling to Trump not backing down from said trade war. Just vote for your own business interests, that's all what the rest of us ask for right now.
2
My mother is from East Grand Forks, ND, and my Uncle Ed was the county attorney for decades. Trump can take North Dakota for granted. Despite its socialist Farmer Labor Party past it is reliably Red Republican. So he can soak them, bankrupt them, and they will still vote for him. What Trump -- wisely -- cares about in regard to tariffs is Ohio, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and the swing states where bringing back a few steelworker jobs and greatly lying and exaggerating how many, will keep him winning. Another way to see this is that Trump sold out the Dakotas and Iowa to curry votes in PA, Wisconsin, and Ohio.
5
Nicely analyzed! One quibble, though--East Grand Forks is actually in Minnesota.
The winners here are Trump and a few of his steel mill owning donors. I am a small business owner, and this tariff will cost me about $40,000 in increased construction costs. My self storage buildings are built from American steel, which has skyrocketed in cost due to decreased import supply. I will pass it to my customers in the form or higher rental rates.
And who gets the extra money I pay? It goes to Nucor steel. Not to the hard working men and women in the steel mills, but to the owners who are among the richest individuals on the planet already.
7
I agree with you, Trump is just making a old trick: transfer the inner conflict in US to a conflict against foreign country
7
I'm not sure the farmers will understand how this proverb relates to them, despite their "Christian" values and adherence to so many good and wholesome biblical virtues.
"Book of Proverbs, 16:18, Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall."
4
I fear that this will be the first in a series of U.S. exports to suffer. Just as the Chinese can obtain soybeans from Brazil, they can buy the thousands of commercial aircraft they will be buying over the next decades from Airbus rather than Boeing. They also will have little trouble finding Germans, Japanese, and South Koreans eager to sell them them more cars in place of the GM products they currently buy.
6
I can't imagine Brazil being a stable source of exports for very long. Their political turmoil may very well wreck their economy and production even more so than it already is now.
How about our farmers re-learn how to rotate crops and sell diversified products? How about they learn to grow organic produce, use fewer harmful chemicals?
The best legacy they can leave their children is a new business plan that does not rely on government money and behavior.
10
I doubt they - professional farmers - have failed to consider this. Agriculture, like every sector, is driven by market demand and limited by the economic realities of capitalism. If you want them to focus on anything but extracting maximum profit, be prepared to stump up for higher retail prices and even greater subsidies.
But of course American consumers demand rock-bottom prices and also environmentally friendly, ethically grown, locally sourced, organic, pristine produce. There's a fundamental self-delusion in this. Compare the Japanese domestic rice market, which features protectionist policy, high prices and artisanal production. You simply cannot have everything. Choices, and sacrifices, must be made.
4
@Lily
Crop rotation worked well back when farm equipment was general purpose. Today it is specialized to the crop, which increases efficiency. To rotate soybeans, corn, and wheat requires three sets of equipment. If a farm is large enough, it can grow multiple crops rotating them among the fields, but few farms are large enough to do that.
Millions of tons of soybeans may rot as farming corporations roll the dice for profits that don’t look particularly likely to return this season. Meanwhile, 17 million Yemeni are at risk of starvation in a famine created by US-backed Saudi forces. USAID should offer to buy the beans at cost and send them to those who are starving because of American interventionism. Help US farmers end an American caused famine; it’s a win-win.
16
I would love to say I feel bad for farmers, but I don't. I clearly remember driving through the fields of Eastern Washington in 2016 and having to look at all the Trump billboards.
Farmers should be very familiar with the saying "you reap what you sow". Looks like they got their hands on a bad seed.
29
It’s mind blowing that some farmers are willing to sacrifice their livelihoods for a trade war that is completely unnecessary and on the vague hope that things will get better tomorrow. It’s similar to the illogic Republicans employ when they argue that Social Security has to be cut now to preserve your benefits later. This is white identity politics at its worst.
20
Like it or not farmers are so propped up by government subsidies that the government can seem to support them through a period of low-income like these tariffs, subsidies, and soybean glut and resulting low prices will bring.
The farming economy is an unnatural one due to so many factors.
Just for some interesting background that relates to the present cirumstance directly, read the chapter on corn in the front of The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan's.
Since the government subsidizes farming so much and can keep doing it more and more, can Trump buy farmer's patience and support?
8
I've read most of the comments here and I think the political and economic aspects of the article have been well considered and reflected upon.
What I haven't seen is anything about the fabulous photographs by the Times' Dan Koeck accompanying the article--Walker Evans in digital color!
Thanks, Dan! I'll be watching for your work in the future!
13
@Brian I thought the same thing!
1
@Brian Brian, thank you for pointing that out. I too was struck by the images, but didn't think beyond them. I did look carefully at the pattern in the cone of stored soybeans though. You could see the regularity in the patterns left by the distribution belt ;-)
1
China is doing what they have so often done in the past. They’ve mobilized people. (now necessarily gently) and put farm land into production. Within a few years they’ll be ‘soybean independent’. I suggest those North Dakota farmers start finding other things to do with their crops; they’re not going back to China.
6
Some pertinent facts:
39% of Americans in rural regions lack broadband access (as opposed to 4% of Americans in urban areas) and have trouble accessing the Internet.
15-30% of Americans in rural area only have access to broadcast (over the air, not cable) TV stations.
90% of rural Americans listen to broadcast radio stations.
91% of political and talk radio is conservative.
Many of these soybean farmers never hear any other point-of-view than conservative. This has been the case since at least the 1960s.
It's not surprising that they continue to have faith that the Republican Party and President Trump will deliver.
They're not getting arguments and opinions from any other sources.
28
@Heather-so are you saying that market solutions won't provide broadband access to these areas? I'm shocked!
5
Someone else will step in to fill China’s soybean needs and our farmers may find that they will never wholly recapture the market again. And the more our POTUS ignores the norms of diplomacy and breaks treaties the more stake the rest of the world has in figuring out how to sideline us. Trump is systematically undermining America’s role in the world and trade is only part of it.
13
The guy is right--give it time and things will be better for his children.
(that is, if his children are wealthy and can afford to purchase expensive health care and get the benefits of the recent tax law).
Otherwise, they are toast.
20
So I would like to read a comment or better yet an interview with one or more of these soybean farmers about their future business plans. It seems obvious that fewer acres of soybeans will be planted next year in favor of something else. Someone in a red hat that has this year's crop sitting in a grain pile please explain to the rest us how this turns out. While you are at it please explain how the tariffs will eventually benefit bean farmers. Please avoid wishful thinking and slogans.
7
Please explain why taxpayers should bail you out...
3
Had to chuckle at the line that some farmers trust Trump to negotiate in the best interests of the US. First time for everything, I guess.
20
Starting a trade war with China was wholly unjustified, and strategically self-defeating as soybean farmers can explain.
8
Winners and Losers in Soybeans.
The winner is whoever holds the fixed costs under control. Because they won’t budge.
As always-you follow the dollars. And in this case, we’re seeing 1) farmers likely forced to sell a perishable crop at a discount or lose it all, and 2) a subsidy that would cover some fixed cost but not any profit.
The holder of the fixed costs is Monsanto, I believe. They basically own the non reproducible pest resistant soybean. And I bet they haven’t lowered their price.
I’d be curious who in the executive branch either owns Monsanto holdings, or if Monsanto donated to Trump, or executives did and how much.
Cause I bet we’re propping up Monsanto right now.
16
The hypocrisy is stunning. North Dakota farmers complaining about people on food stamps but holding out their hands to take the Trump bail out. Who are the true welfare queens?
51
Farming is a difficult enough business, but now their guy is worse than a tornado in harvest season. When are they going to realize, yes, trump would like their vote, but to a city guy like trump, farmers are few and far between and their concerns are only there only during a campaign. Otherwise, they’re a nonentity.
10
@Jacquie Food Stamps aka SNAP benefits the farmers as much as those in need.
3
@Alan
So do farm subsidies which they get every year paid for by the taxpayers.
2
Like any good Republican, these farmers will just get subsidies.
16
Reap what you sow. If you sow something the world no longer wants to buy, then it's on you.
1
No sympathy. Karma is consistent and many times unpleasant. Thank you to all the Dakotans commenting here who elaborated on the situation.
16
It's sad that so many mid-westerners who voted for trump are oblivious to his incompetence. Trump truly is completely unqualified to run this country. The decisions he made to impose tariffs on China, Canada and European are simply foolish and short-sighted. It's not say he's wrong about there being imbalances but his hammer-head approach to everything is like the fits of a spoiled child.
21
This story, paired with the cover image on the weekend Magazine of a Yemeni child starving to death, her ribs protruding painfully, is too much for me. Don't you dare let that food rot.
22
You wanted it!
Trump and the GOP could care less about the working man. If you don’t get that by now you never will.
Vote Blue 2018 & 2020!
12
Must be tough when the man you love keeps putting you down, kicking you, and taking your money, yet you keep coming back for more. There is a name for that, it is called Battered Wife Syndrome. Trump supporters are a bunch of battered wives.
Look out he's coming up the steps now in his sleeveless T-shirt.
13
I have zero sympathy for these farmers , Zero Sympathy for these farmers who voted this fool trump into office and when democrats retake the house i can only hope that they end all subsides for framers across this nation until they learn how to vote correctly for democrats .
15
I just published a book that's on the slow boat from China - literally. Rumor has it that, even though printed materials have thus far escaped begin tariffed, Chinese ports have slowed the passage of goods to the States.
So. My book, originally scheduled to arrive in mid-October is now more than a month late, threatening my livelihood, and sabotaging holiday sales.
While I feel sympathy for the soy bean farmers, one signal difference is that I didn't vote for the idiot putting my income in jeopardy.
18
Trump Inc. is selling and buying from the Chinese. There were no tariffs placed on what Trump Inc. can do in China. Only the foolish farmers who support Trump are asked to take a hair cut. Trump Inc. in the meantime has no worries and is making money. There was no need for tariffs. Why sensible down to earth farmers would hitch their wagon to a con man billionaire is beyond reason. You were doing great without him and you had no need for a change in the soybean or exporting market. Keep storing your soybeans and hope for the best, but they will only surely rot under Trumps plan.
8
Living in a Farm Community, with decades of Commindity Trading experiences, and another as a Crop Adjuster, all I can say is:
The combined ignorance, false assumptions and self-aggrandized, over the top hyperbole found in Applebaums’s “story” and the comments found herein are astoundingly ignorant
Prosecutors should look at any story - on either side - that so knowingly publishes outright False & misleading stories
The Soybean piles contain grain sold last Spring, and some probably up to 2yrs ago
China is buying elsewhere, driving other Importers to US markets. This is the 3rd consecutive “huge-crop”: prices reflect a nearly 1Billion Bushel carryover
“Basis” is what is “out-of-whack”: directly a consequence of Tariff situation. That is about $1.65/bu in arrears. The subsidy, at current prices, looks to be $0.825/bu. The current price level would not trigger a like subsidy.
Ignorance should not be glorified
To those egomaniacs stating the Dakota Farmers are “politically naive”: you are the worst of them all. Castigating family members & people you supposedly care about to feed your petulant hatred of Our President. Yes: OUR PRESIDENT!!!
Elections have consequences, and tomorrow will also. I can only imagine the childish response should Lefties not find any victories that their Puppetmasters have promised them
The Chinese government leaders have really long memories. I doubt that the Chinese market will ever recover for Dakota farmers. And... you won’t get much sympathy for subsidies from Coastal Americans who believe you have brought this on yourselves.
4
@Don Barcome, J
What do you mean by "'Basis' is what is out of whack; directly a consequence of the Tariff situation"?
You say that you don't agree with Mr. Appelbaum's analysis, but it sounds like you are agreeing with his main point--China is buying elsewhere because of Trump's tariffs so that is causing a problem for farmers.
Please explain as I'd like to understand this situation from you as you're involved in the business. Thank you.
4
@Don Barcome, Jr I own a thousand acres in NW Missouri. Not all beans are sold on contract. And yes, I am not a Trump supporter.
5
The Chinese stopped buying from America.
Chinese pigs and chickens haven't stopped eating...
China has to buy from other sources...
disrupting the supply to the usual customers of those sources.
Creating a demand and opening a market.
Stop whining and start marketing.
1
Yessir, yessir, three bags full - but even Mr. Trump oesn't want to buy it all!
1
Yep,, that is Trump,,, the businessman? Convert a thriving export of corn and soybeans in to piles of rotting wealth.
94% loss of sales.
Trump is really good at bankruptcies. He sells fear to cowards and soybeans rot.
8
This is the time for them to vote Democrat!
4
I drove by that place on my way home from Bismarck. I have to say the DCC and state party’s message to voters was simple and succinct; even after the trade war is resolved the efffects will remain. This is what you get when your gut overrules your heart.
2
Well you can always get out of farming and start up Trump steaks again!
4
What the heck?....
"The Trump administration said in August that it would distribute $3.6 billion to soybean farmers to offset the decline in market prices."
Where exactly does this administration intend to take that money from? This sounds clearly like welfare, a bribe or a combination of both. From a government already running record deficits thanks to their "Tax and Jobs Act" debacle. Sorry farmers, you bought this guy's lies, and in doing so have put MY children's future in jeopardy. That you may now have to pay the price doesn't bother me in the slightest.
8
No pity for the farmers who voted for Trump and the GOP. Sleep with criminals you become one and suffer the consequeses. Perhaps some education would help. A reminder what America stands for.
6
Soybeans are NOT the healthful food they have been touted as.
Especially for men, Soybeans have horrifying long term effects on ones health... I say LET THEM ROT !!
Grow something healthy...
@VegasDude China has to feed many, many people. Your suggestion isn't practical. This industry isn't a Farmer's Market.
@VegasDude
Your steak you eat was made with soy. Think about that for a moment.
So much winning! Trade wars are easy to win!
6
There is already a lot of welfare for all kinds of farmers, and now Trump is adding $3.6 billion for soybean farmers. Why? You voted for Trump, you voted for less globalism, you voted to kill the TPP, and you want us to pay you so you losses are somewhat mitigated?
No Farmer Welfare!
13
Good for the Chinese. Please continue to no longer buy u.s. soybeans forevermore.
3
You're using the pile of beans by Casselton in your picture. You do understand that pile is there EVERY year. It is a hardy crop and when we roll them in so fast that is the way they are stored at harvest. They aren't rotting. They are actually sold. Contact the elevator owner and they will tell you. Good grief. That pile is fine. Quit scaring the non farmer. Dang, Harvest is about done, the dryers about done and the lefse' making about ready to begin. Get it right.
2
But didn't North Dakota go for Trump? Farmers should know you reap what you sow.
5
If they continue to support Trump, let them eat soybeans.
5
Where is John Mellancamp when you need him?
"Rain on the Scarecrow"....
Better dig it out guys....from the 1980's.
We'll be back to that soon.....and where will Trump be when these farms go belly up?
At Maralago of course, or maybe in one of his new hotels that he negotiated with China or Putin. And HIS room rates at those hotels will NOT be down 94%.
"Rain on the scarecrow blood on the plow
This land fed a nation this land made me so proud
And son I'm just sorry they're just memories for you now
Rain on the scarecrow blood on the plow"
3
Do these farmers truly believe Trump "cares" about them? You reap what you sow!
4
I have huge respect for those that choose to toil in the land. I do not think the US soybean farmers are ignorant, but I sure think they should not put their livelihoods in the hands of someone who was born with a silver spoon and in my mind has not proven to be a smart businessman himself. Brazil has a newly elected government, for sure the Brazilians are going to sign trade pacts with the Chinese to improve their manufacturing and agricultural markets, and the markets that the US farmers spent developing for years if not gone by now, are probably going to be difficult to get back.
4
"They say they’ll suffer now so their children benefit later — echoing the argument Mr. Trump has made."
Boy, have they got it wrong. They'll now suffer now and their children will suffer even more under the Trump budget deficits and lack of a social safety net.
8
So? Failed 45 will buy their vote with subsidies and other blatant forms of corruption.
If they don't like selling to an international market, they should get out of the business.
4
Looks like a scene from 'Atlas Shrugged'.
3
Many who will be greatly harmed by Trump's idiotic tariffs buy in to the notion that Trump is some genius business mind and deal maker and that his tariffs are part of a long range plan. None of it is true. Trump fundamentally misunderstands how trade and trade deficits work. The crippling effect on US soybean will be long-lasting, and meantime taxpayers get to pay for Trump's flight of foolishness with subsidies to try to buy off the farmers.
7
Seems like Trump's promises apparently do add up to a hill of beans. Just remember: you get what you vote for. Do better, be better, America.
5
They get what they voted for. China can get soybeans from other countries. They don't need North and South Dakota and those farmers had better wise up. Trump is a con man and a failure.
15
If the USA wants to survive and kick China's behind this is the price we need to pay.
@Dom .... how is that going to happen? By exporting less, meaning our debt gets more expensive? Do you know who owns most of our debt?
11
Someone needs to remind these farmers “that elections have consequences “ They voted for Trump and they get to live with his actions. Sorry but you got what you voted for.
8
How about a poll of soybean farmers?
2
Appelbaum says ... Farmers here in Cass County have prospered over the last two decades by growing more soybeans than any other county in the United States, and by shipping most of those beans across the Pacific Ocean to feed Chinese pigs and chickens... Did anybody put a gun to their heads when they made that decision to go all in on soybeans? Perhaps now is the time to undercut other producers of soybeans just to keep them from rotting. Then consider a safer crop to weather this period.
1
Don’t worry Trump voters after your spy beans rot, oil companies will pay you pennies on the dollar for your property and start fracking. Poisoning the groundwater and increasing the instances of earthquakes.
5
Trump,.,,, a great businessman. 94% loss of sales.
9
If I didn’t know that their pain will spread, I’d say you got what you deserve . Unfortunately I know something that the Trump loving farmers don’t. Trump doesn’t care about them or anyone else who can’t afford a private plane. His policies are destructive and corrosive for us all.
1
Trump starts a trade war, then takes my tax money to subsidize it.
7
If they voted for Trump, they are getting exactly what they voted for.
4
USD 26 billion soya exports is very big money. How potus can ignore. With Saudi for much small business Trump is silent on killing of a media man. Saudis increase oil prices , collect the extra money from US citizens to pay for arms. In other words US citizens work to pay Saudis , in turn Saudis pay for arms. Soya farmers need more support to make trump to see reason
1
The market for vegan products is growing
That soya crop is a ripe for a pickin for vegan food manufacturers
1
Schadenfreude here. It’s hard to feel sympathy with farmers who bought Trump’s racist lies and phony claims and still believe him. Perhaps if they suffer enough they might start to question their support of Trump and the GOP ( and those Chinese markets are not coming back).
3
These folks voted trump. Sorry, I have no empathy for the plight they visited upon themselves.
5
Do these farmers realize that Trump has made them part of his socialist group, soybean farmers are no longer capitalist.
8
I know these people are not stupid, but they made a very stupid decision to fall for a conman like we have never seen before. This man they helped elect, can't care less about farmers, or America for that matter. The day after he leaves office, he will no longer talk to, or about farmers; he will continue to employ illegal aliens to save money on his properties and will continue to enjoy his fortune long after the soybean market totally collapses. I hope these farmers reinvent themselves and find another source of income because the Chinese will most likely not come back as clients. They got the message that they can’t rely on America and will not put themselves in the same position of weakness twice.
These farmers are not the only ones paying the price for having elected this man as president. We, as a Nation, are more divided than ever and are no longer the model Nation we once were for others to emulate. As a retired Army Officer, it saddens me greatly to see our implosion and the hate that now prevails among us. We will all pay a heavy price for years to come
5
...and they shall reap the whirlwind.
2
Everyone start making miso!
4
Attention Trump voting farmers: "As ye sow, so shall ye reap."
4
To our farmers:
Tired of “winning” yet?
VOTE November 6, 2018 for common sense.
4
I grew up in the rural west, worked in the urban east and now have retired to the rural west. One thing I've learned: urbanites don't get rural life and rural people don't generally trust big city folk. Surprise, surprise that rural America fell for Trump. "I dont care" I hear over and over again about Trump's lies, divisiveness, violent supporters, thieving business practices, etc.
All I can say to my friends and neighbors here in farm country who voted for him and are now getting shafted is: he is doing to you what he has spent his life doing to others. Don't get it?
I don't get how you DIDN'T get it day one except for your perverse delight in voting against the know it all elites in cities. Keep thinking this way America and it will all be over and in the hands of the last two humans in the 1%.
11
@s parson I think you're right, but the one thing I cannot wrap my head around is how Trump is not just another "big city folk" to them. He literally brands himself as an urban, wealthy elite.
5
What's really frustrating is that not only did President Trump choose to wage an essentially unwinnable "trade war," he didn't even bother to take the time to think it through or seek the advice of those who might have told him what might work at least a little bit or who it might hurt. Instead, like pretty-much everything he does, it was based on his personal impulses and the need to provide feel-goods to his supporters.
So now we have disastrous consequences, and those hit the hardest are some of his staunch supporters. So one theme of this story is how President Trump works, which is not so well, which most of us already knew.
Yet an amazing additional theme of the story is how otherwise astute business people can't see through this mess, and instead they somehow believe that this must be for the best and their President will generate a happy ending out of all of it! It's really fascinating and of course very scary to see the strength of the hold that President Trump has on his supporters. What explains this? The top Reader Pick to this story talks about racism; I'd hate to think that's the answer, but it would explain at least a part of this mystery.
These certainly aren't the kind of impulses that most of us would want driving our country, or that have the power to truly "make American great again." All we can hope is that we can bring much more than 50% of Americans to see through this and elect more worthy leaders. Tuesday's elections should be interesting.
3
Well that’s a surprise - keep voting for Trump and the GOP my farming friends. Looks like it’s all working out great for you.
4
They should start growing chick peas. With the rise in consumption of falafel and hummus you wouldn't have to rely on the Chinese to buy your products.
1
Farming is a gamble, just based on weather and insects alone. Hedging is a science, yet appraising the type of option for the gambler in the white house, has yet to be devised.
The American children that will benefit most (as intended) by the actions of the Trump presidency are named Don Jr., Eric, Ivanka, Tiffany and Barron. I'm sad that so many hard working Americans have fallen for this creepy con man and by all accounts, a terrible businessman.
4
An ode for North Dakota farmer with sympathy.
One reaps what one sows
Trust Trump’s voodoo economics,
and the mound of misery grows and grows.
It is not too late to change one’s fate,
When can one have a profitable grain?
Dump Trump, and see your profits grow again.
2
A bunch of conservative folks in the farm belt voted for a crooked NY billionaire who cheated on multiple wives and went bankrupt so many times the banks wouldn't loan him any money and he had to be bailed out by the Russians.
And these folks out there in the square states did this because they thought he would look out for their interests? Seriously?!
And, by most of the polls I am seeing, they still support him.
I noticed that a lot of the other comments say, *repeatedly*, that these folks our there are intelligent. Sorry, but I have my doubts about that.
10
For whatever a man is sowing, this he will also reap.
3
i'd feel sorry for them but they voted for Trump.
anyone notice how much red states depend on the federal
government?
4
Sounds like a great deal for Canadian soy farmers...sell their crop at inflated prices to the Chinese...buy soy from the Americans at deflated prices for domestic consumption...Thanks Trump.
2
Trump will pay off the farmers and throw all the food out. We will all pay for it. I bet they never even considered shipping it to Central America or Yemen. Or anywhere else people are in need. Oh well, if it doesn’t benefit Trump & Co., who cares about all that waste?
2
Trade wars have no winners only losers. It's the American consumers and workers that ultimately pay the price. Our nationalism only has one goal, isolationism. Never worked out in the past. What makes anyone think it will work now.
1
I’d say three things:
1. The obvious solution is to have our gov buy all this agricultual largess at a fair price, bag it, and ship it to all those hungry kids in Africa and Central America that Trump spits on every day. Might send some to the Venezuelans suffering through phony leftism, too. Yeah, right. It’ll just rot.
2. Exports down 94%? Boy, that’ll help your old balance of trade.
3. When you really get down to it, there’s only one question about Trump that really matters: just how far out the door and down the turnpike will this fat greedhead be able to get before the bills he’s run up on our credit start coming due?
2
The soybean farmers will continue to support Trump regardless. He could shoot one of them at each of his rallies and they'd vote for him anyway. Trump has freed so many Americans from the nagging impediments of conscience and ethics and unselfishness. Christianity, America's nominal faith, has been on a long journey into absurdity. Trump is the prophet who has at last freed so many faux believers from the strain of pretending to practice this annoyingly impossible creed so jarringly incompatible with our competitive and materialistic culture, and He is being hailed with a religious fervor. Free at last! Free at last! Great Trump A'mighy, free at last!
7
and, yet, these folks continue to support the fool that created the mess they are in . . . I may never understand how individuals refuse to support what is in their own best interest . . .
5
As thier crops rot away- Trump promised to subsidize their losses. but not enough to cover the costs. Who else in this country gets to operate a business and then gets support from the same government that is killing it? Mind boggling . Maybe I should become a farmer- or build a vacation home on a barrier island- because someboby else's ax dollars will pay for it. How will these soybean farmers pay off thier equipment loans, or the mortgages, or the seed bills if they are losing money. This has deteriorated into a rant- unbelievable.
5
Perhaps they could ship the soybeans to Brazil?
Hope Springs Eternal.
'Hope Trade War ends before beans rot.
The hope is that prices will rise before the beans rot.
Hopeful that China and the United States will reach a deal to remove the tariffs.'
“Hope is unfortunately a terrible marketing plan,”
1
Compare the photo of the mountains of grain (that may spoil) with the emaciated child that died of starvation in Yemen. So sad. We’ve clearly lost our moral compass.
5
Trump never was and never will be a good businesses man. He has thrived by squandering other peoples money. Now we have more of the same.
3
I was going to rave at the ——- of these farmers, I was going to wish them all the I’ll i possibly could and then I read the other posts and you have said it all. I grieve for America and am so thankful I do not live there
1
It's beyond my comprehension! That when you have a knife (tariffs) stuck into your heartland area, and those who have stabbed you into ruin, farmers and ranchers continue reach out to grab and shake the perpetrators other hand in gratitude.
Go figure!
4
I grew up in Iowa and now live in Minnesota, a major soybean export state. Living in a rural environment in either of these states is to experience 'isms' on a daily basis. Trump happily plays to those tendencies and he is banking on these attitudes to help him prevail despite the financial despair these farmers are beginning to experience thanks to his ill-advised trade war with China. These farmers need to face facts; Trump's policies are threatening their lively hoods and unless they start voting their economic interests instead of Trump's race-baiting and anti-immigrant agenda they can kiss their economic security goodbye.
6
I glad for the farmers, you reap what you sow. They helped put him into office so now you have to lie in that bed. People always have to learn the hard way, so be it. I hope the market NEVER comes back, that is what they deserve.
1
While transiting through an airport last year I met a soybean farmer. After talking briefly we both acknowledged we had opposing political views. He was a nice man and I asked him what he liked about Trump, his response was “ He speaks his mind. “ I feel bad for this guy , he was duped but I’m also mad because he voted in this nightmare of a President. I think of this farmer often and wonder what he think now.
6
I feel terrible about what these farmers are going through. But the truth is, they voted for Trump, who is destroying their livelihoods, and they keep the blinders on hoping he will eventually save them. You can't help people who won't help themselves.
3
This article says that farmers are distraught and even suicidal over Trump's policies. Yet some of them feel they should endure a sacrifice because it will make things better for their children. While noble, this is insanely misguided in the Trump world. Do you think he would sacrifice for you for one nanosecond? Do you actually think any of this is about anything but making him more money or showing off his power?
4
Sacrifice is required to MAKE AMERICAN GREAT AGAIN. Winning the trade war with China means not exporting soybeans to them. North Dakota farmers and their related support industries are doing their part to help President Trump beat back the Chinese.
Now all they have to do is vote for a Republican to takeover the Democrat-held Senate seat. By that, they will have a Senator who fully supports the President and North Dakota farmers can keep their soybeans out of China.
W
Brazil grows soybeans. They're likely to ramp up production, probably with help from the Chinese, to take advantage of this new market. That's globalism at work: Making Brazil Great Again.
3
Shorted crop last spring, crazy idea until summer rolled around. We’re figuring to lose 40% of market going forward. The Chinese take a long view, in hundreds of years, and they are building soy in South America to compensate for seasons. This is accelerating a long term shift. Monoculture Monsanto deserves some blame, we don’t need this much corn and wheat acreage, who eats tofu and corn flour? folks that hate Monsanto. Maybe we can park land in organic, give it a rest, clean out the poison, feed each other vegetable proteins with flavors, and I quit. Farming is too hard in the first place. May as well not kill my customer for starters.
1
Returning the power to levy tariffs to the congress, as our Constitution originally specified, could solve problems such as this.
But then again, there are clear indicators that our current president has never read the Constitution.
And, as a retired high school teacher, I suspect Mr. Trumps lacks both the verbal skills to comprehend that document’s contents and the attention span to read it in its entirety.
2
“I’ve been to China 25 times in the last decade talking about the dependability of U.S. soybeans,” said Kirk Leeds, the chief executive of the Iowa Soybean Association. By undermining that reputation, he said, “We have done long-term damage to the industry.”
So Trump is shoveling taxpayer welfare money to the farmers, because they’re special in his base, while the right wing complains about welfare and “socialism”. What about every other industry negatively affected by the tariffs? What about Mid America Nail Corp.? Ford says the tariffs have cost them $1 billion. The pain that Trump wants his farmers to ride out could be terminal for many before relief comes. Then what? Sell your MAGA hats at a “going out of business” sale? Many of these trade issues should have been dealt with LONG ago.
3
People who make bad investments generally hate admitting that they have made a mistake. My relative bought internet stocks during the 90's, made a small fortune, and when the bubble burst, and his stocks began to plummet, he held on until he lost his small fortune. Afterwards, he sheepishly admitted to me that he did not want to admit to himself that he had made a bad mistake. These farmers----consistent with a large percentage of rural folk--supported Donald Trump and do not want to admit that they made a mistake--at least not yet----so they will probably continue their support for the time being. Out blossoming economy, which continued the growth started under Obama, is continuing to grow. But it is possible that the massive and sudden stimulus of the tax cut for the very wealthy will soon wear off, and the expanding deficit will cut into the good times we now feel. At first, Trump supporters will hold on to their support, but in the near future, after the economy falters, Trump followers will have regrets.
2
There are people in every election who, for any number of reasons, vote against their own self interests. These soybean farmers, however, who are still supporting the president, are taking it to a whole new level. Sadly, this is the kind of support that could end up costing many of them their farms before all is said and done.
3
“I’m trying to follow and figure out who the winners are in this tariff war,” Mr. Gebeke said.
The winners? Adams and Ricardo could have told you that over 200 years ago. Nobody wins from trade barriers. Beside soy bean farmers loosing, now we are all paying for trumps subsidies
4
Trump has, nor had any experience in foreign trade matters. Yet, he unilaterally decided to impose tariffs. Small wonder that our trade, especially that of our commodities, has tanked. The Farm States voted for Trump, they will have to endure his policies. Unfortunately, many will have to take bankruptcy because of their blind allegiance to Trump. These tariffs will hurt the farm economy for years to come because we have lost long established markets.
9
Reading a lot of Old Testament style "reap what you sow" schadenfreude in the comments. You all realize that we're going to have to help these people out despite the fact that their politics are so unsavory? Isn't their apparent lack of empathy for refugees and those who have suffered at the hands of the powerful what we most dislike?
We should show them the same kind of mercy and compassion that we would like them to exhibit. Maybe we can show them what Jesus would do.
1
@Albert Ross - We show mercy and compassion by fighting for affordable health care and education, equal treatment etc.
We should not have to show mercy and compassion by embracing their ignorance and bigotry and bailing out the results of their bad decisions.
6
@DR
I wasn't advocating that we "embrace their ignorance and bigotry" so much as I was arguing that we could try to take the high road and invite them to come along with us. And isn't part of affordable health care about bailing people out from bad decisions? I say that we can do all of these things and still feel smugly superior.
1
@Albert Ross - Honestly, I respect what you are trying to do but in the face of mercy and compassion (not to mention plenty of federal aid paid for by blue states) these people just hurl lies and insults.
They want hatred and someone to look down on and that's what they voted for and got. No amount of kindness will get them to change.
1
intuitively it seems that farmers should mitigate risk by planting a variety of crops. Putting all you eggs in one basket makes you susceptible to disaster. Similarly, my retirement investments are in many companies stock - not just GE.
5
Tariffs and Sanctions are hurting our people.We increase the prices inside of our country and decrease the business with others.On paper and ego it all looks as if punishing the adversaries but in real we are hurting our-self and creating boundaries around us.There must be a better way to deal with situations in the world.
4
I'm assuming that Putin is seeing Trump's trade war from a "Make Russia Great Again" perspective, considering that Trump's actions have compelled China to buy these products from Russia instead of us.
IT begs the question: Who came up with this "trade war' idea, REALLY.
9
So the farmers who use government subsidized Monsanto poison and government subsidized soy beans are sad because they can't sell a product that Americans don't want anymore. Maybe its time to start looking at the "market" and see that Americans want a healthy product that is good for the environment.
11
A lot doesn't make sense in this article, which has lots of gaps.
Those Chinese chickens and pigs need to be fed. How much did the tariffs raise the actual price of soybeans for a Chinese farmer? That kind of quantity can't be replaced overnight.
But again we have the fallacy of farmers growing food for animal consumption, which is highly inefficient and one of the key contributors to climate change that nobody (at least not the carnivores) wants to discuss. And soybean farmers are traveling to India to convince them to eat more chicken?
If the decline in commodity prices doesn't do the farmers in, climate change will do it eventually. But they'll wait out Trump's trade war with the Chinese for a few years for the benefit of their children and grandchildren? Hmmm . . .
3
It's not just the tariffs causing soybean farmers pain, but the TPP would have opened up markets for these farmer to ship their products overseas. Trump pulled out of that simply because it was negotiated under the Obama admin. So you know to the soybean farmers, "elections have consequences."
10
I truly think Trump believes people eat agricultural-scale soybeans at home and that agricultural-scale corn is sweetcorn. That we could solve this problem if Americans just ate more corn and soybeans.
I wouldn't discount that possibility.
8
Her emails. The migrant caravan. Nobody in the Trump campaign cares about this.
7
Hey they voted for this guy!!! Ye reap what ye sowed! They bought him lock sock and barrel, now they can keep him!! I guess the coal minors will be the next group DJT turns his back on! But will they get it? Remember his buy line, "I could walk out on 7th avenue and shoot someone, and they will still vote for me!" He does not care about anyone!
9
Gee whiz, I can't for the life of me figure out **why** the Chinese aren't buying those American soybeans. No reason at all, is there?
Of course my "thoughts and prayers" (as the Republicans like to say) are with the people of the Dakotas. Will they have to go hungry when their soy beans rot in the warehouse? Oh well, they can always eat those red hats! (I'm told they are delicious when spread with crow....)
12
All those farmers out there in the "beloved heartland" voted for Trump and now they are suffering for their foolishness. Sympathy???? Nah!!!!
10
Trumpistas, remember what Malcolm X said: "ya been had! Ya been took! Ya been hoodwinked! Bamboozled! Led astray!"
These people have to wake up to the fact that the USA is not, as we say in Spanish, the last Coca-Cola of the desert. You cannot put back into the bottle the genie of globalization just because you're losing out. You cannot be pro-business and anti-globalists these days.
10
Mr. trump needs to go back to Economics School and learn something this time.
3
Who'd you not for? As you sow, so shall you reap.
The big shame is that you are taking us all down with you.
8
When you buy the chicken ranch, you get the chicken poop. Rural America and in many cases farmers put this guy in charge. He is proving across the board what a novice he is when it comes to dealing in a productive way with the rest of the world. Us Coastal Elitists knew it all along. Welcome to the realization of what a huge mistake electing this guy to high office was. I wish you the best and hope these tariff missteps are quickly resolved. Might want to consider your congressional vote tomorrow as a positive first step. Check the blue side of the ticket.
9
And we're supposed to feel sorry for these people? The choices we make often have consequences, as they are now finding out.
8
Reading this - and so many other articles - brings me back to where I started, which is to believe that fear and racism are at the heart of trump's support. There is no other explanation for people who not only vote against their own self interest, but continue to justify their support even when they fully understand the disastrous economic results.
19
'Some nations that grow soybeans, like Canada, are shipping their own beans to China at high prices and then buying American beans at lower prices to meet domestic demand. Taiwan, seeking to curry favor, signed a deal to buy more American soybeans over the next two years.
None of this is nearly enough. During the first six weeks of the current export year, which began in September, American soybean exports to China are down by about 6 million tons from last year, while soybean exports to the rest of the world are up by only 3 million tons.'
This the Art of the Deal! The president that has America's best interest in his heart!!!
Brace for impact!
13
The solution is simple, really. And it's also a great opportunity for President Trump to show his leadership skills. Every loyal American is just going to have to eat more tofu. A lot more tofu. Like three times a day, with miso and tamari sauce.
Trump supporters say they will do anything for him. Let's see.
19
This is a man who lost unprecedented amounts of money running casinos, and spends untold time and effort making sure nobody can verify how much money he actually has. What made anyone think he could manage the fiscal and financial doings of an entire country? And to do this all on the backs of farmers?
24
If farmers would have been thinking like chess players instead of checker players, when Trump mentioned tariffs they should have gotten in touch with their reps, lobby groups, etc., to shut the tariff talk down. .
Why? We dominated the soybean market. It was hard for other countries to put a dent in our sales with their product. We were the big dog. Now, we're holding the product and others are coming in to supply the demand. Yeah, it will be a half-season late, but they will get soybeans. It just won't be from the US of A.
Next year, are these soybean buyers going to look to contracts with the United States for soybeans or will they other Northern Hemisphere suppliers. They are going to get their soybeans from the Southern Hemisphere in early 2019.
I think farmers growing soybeans here are going to have to find something else to grow. The con man just destroyed an important US export, in a time when the growing trade deficit should be a concerning as our near exponential deficit growth.
(Interesting how Wilbur Ross as Commerce Secretary has been making a lot of money in his new job--great when you know how markets will react when the President says or does something. I wonder how many others in the administration are cashing in.)
20
Trump's big welfare bail out for soybeans and hog farmers will be giving Smithfield Foods (own by China) part of that big welfare money. When Senator Grassley was asked why a Chinese Corporation will get bail out money, he didn't know.
SIOUX CITY, Iowa — Earlier this year, President Trump announced the creation of a $12 billion dollar fund to help farmers affected by Chinese tariffs on AG products, including soybeans and pork.
Now, a Chinese owned pork producer with multiple locations here in Siouxland, Smithfield Foods, is eligible for some of that money according to the US Ag Department.
10
Trump is not very bright, and this is just another example.
Yes, we needed to address the trade imbalance with China but soybeans won't make the critical difference.
If you want to get China's attention - Cut Off access to American universities (no student VISAs) and cut down H1B VISAs for Chinese workers in the US.
China got it's tech industry off the ground by taking American education back to communist China. They KNOW what the source of their economic strength is - American education.
9
So how many bankers are going to fund operating loans to farmers for next season when the markets are so uncertain?
15
@omamae1
From talking with numerous bankers in the rural areas, the answer is very few loans will be made and mainly to farmers who have been smart enough to operate in the past with minimal or no borrowing. We are close in some parts of the Midwest to re-experiencing the defaults and foreclosures of farms not seen since the Great Depression.
3
The photo with the grain bin status board and wood paneled wall is a classic. My earliest memories of delivering grain with my dad always had that same wood paneling in the elevator offices. To this day when I deliver a few loads they still have that wood paneling.
For farmers, it should be obvious that their vote was a seed laced with fusarium. Just look at the massive increase in deficits the republicans have created in just one year. No farm could survive if they were run like that during good economic times. The trade war is just a hard bonus lesson for everyone including farmers.
Thankfully here in Canada the soy prices are better and every farmer and small business owner has healthcare for themselves and their employees with no red tape or exceptions.
27
"The latest federal data, through mid-October, shows American soybean sales to China have declined by 94 percent from last year’s harvest"
Shouldn't this be the only talking point for Dems in this election?
19
@Har
No ... that argument generally falls on unreceptive ears, unfortunately, in the Midwest. Matters such as healthcare (especially access to basic healthcare services in rural areas) are more important as are local/state issues. Tip O'Neil remains basically correct that "all politics are local."
@Har Only one of so many. Where on earth do you start with the disaster that trump is.
Time to understand we are in a global economy. Yes we need to change the rules that disfavor us.... but we can't pout and demand our way or the highway.
Trump's objective to redo the rules of trade is correct; but his ham handed and quarrelsome approach is counter productive. I hope these farmers learn that lesson - though its in the school of hard knocks.
Trump's overt and hostile racism similarly casts a cloud over the much needed immigration debate. The unintended silver lining: white nationalists are now unmasked for all to see the hate that festers in those dark corners. We are learning once again that demons are awoken too easily and we all pay too big a price.
I hope this midterm election begins the process of course correction for our nation.
14
Lots of winning by Trump! Not so much for farmers. Let's see if any of these farmers have they learned their lesson - How many will vote for Dems next time around? Only that vote will tell us what they really want.
9
@Joe Rockbottom
"How many will vote for Dems next time around?" More will than in the past but most will not. In urban Midwest areas the surrounding suburban areas seem to be a lot more "blue" than in the past.
Mr. Trump should volunteer to impose major tariffs on Trump Enterprises. It would give credibility to his rambling trade policies and it would demonstrate, for the first time in his life, sacrifice for something larger than himself.
4
This might be a good time to get Americans to eat less meat and to eat more protein that is climate change friendly. This is what a forward looking industry would do. Or, farmers could sit around and wait for the old days to come back. C'mon, align yourselves with those fighting climate change to increase our reliance on a plant based diet. Soy beans are great proteins! If this happened in Silicon Valley, there would already be restaurants serving soy bean toast for $20.
7
Reader comments indicate they think that government policies affecting the farm industry had something to do with electing our current president. I was born and raised in North Dakota and I can tell you most of the people I know will vote Republican purely because of the abortion issue - it has nothing to do with farm policy, which they probably thought would largely remain the same regardless of who is president. This current administration is what you get when voters vote based on a single issue...and the Republican party's own tolerance for the increasing drift to the right within its own party.
19
@Margimatic Funny how the very folks that want "small government" are willing to have the government intrude on the sexual practices and health of women, 99.999999% they don't even know. That shows you how insane our culture has become. Mind your own business, and you'll be far better off.
8
People bought into the Trump myth that he was pro business and for them because he "appeared" to be a self made, successful billionaire. What could go wrong? Starting out with about 400 million from daddy certainly gave the Don Con a big start. They are finding out now that they are simply pawns in his game, and as he continually proves, NOBODY is beyond his quick destruction. The list of ruined careers around him has been constantly growing since he arrived in Washington. He IS a gifted speaker - but that's about it. Most of us see right through it, but for sure, a lot of people, like in all cults, are true, very blind, believers. The Ford Motor Company pointed out last week, that thanks to the Don Con, America now has the most expensive steel in the World. Winning.
12
I guess our soybean farmers know better than I exactly the point of these tariffs. Aside from Trump saying China is being very unfair to us, what exactly Is the goal?
There needs to be a definition of what he is shooting for otherwise we are going to hear from him what a great job he has done, again with no definition of what changed.
This has happened with the Nafta agreements with Mexico and Canada. What has happened? Your guess is as good as mine. Both countries have made official statements that "nothing much has changed"
Immigration - why not make some legislation changes to address this? Instead we are in the Hillary mode of "lock her up" only this time it's lock them up!
Words get nothing done, laws do.
We are being taken for a ride yet again.
6
Here's an idea: start taxing animal protein so that it more accurately reflects the environmental cost of its production and use some of the proceeds to subsidize American made tofu. Bridge the gap between heartland 'mericuns and coastal hipster elites.
3
@Albert Ross Start taxing industrially produced animal protein so that it more accurately reflects the environmental cost of its production and use some of the proceeds to subsidise American healthcare.
2
@Lowly Pheasant
I submit that our current practice of not supporting preventive health care so that, according to the CIA world fact book, we come in ranked globally at #43 in life expectancy is working out super duper well for us.
It makes me cringe every time I read that a conservative individual, in the context of the trade war, is willing to "suffer now so their children benefit later..."
Why? Because when the idea of personal and societal sacrifice arises in the context of climate change, the conservative base is consistently opposed to the ideas. Apparently, they believe in economics, but not science?
22
@htg Exactly, just as they believe that life starts at conception but they don't believe in providing healthcare, clean air and water, and good education children. They are a party of hypocrisy.
2
Trying to rebalance trade with China will not be painless, despite Trump's promises to the contrary. But the fact is that we have been approaching $400B/yr in deficit on our current account. For different reasons, neither we nor China can maintain this imbalance without serious damage to our respective economies.
I feel for the losers--here the soybean farmers, but the numbers tell us that there are more US losers under the existing trade policies.
2
What's the "damage" to China's economy? Too much money? The same way that Germany's economy is "damaged"?
2
@maqroll
What's the "damage" to the US economy? Too many inexpensive goods?
@maqroll, I am having trouble figuring out what you are saying. That $400B/yr in trade inbalances do not really affect anyone that I know of. It's like saying I buy more of my groceries from Bob's Finer Foods and hardly any from Ruth's Finer Foods. So what? Is that going to affect Ted who lives down the street? NO!!!!! The trade balance with global markets is academic in nature. We are not "losing money" as Trump tries to scare people. We were doing fine before Trump came along. He is a crazy buffoon. Only .01% of economists are on Trump's side of this issue. Trump is an outlier in this Trade War.
1
Why are edible beans and pea called "specialty crops"? Broccoli, apples, tomatoes and other real food crops don't receive federal crop insurance subsidies - unlike corn, wheat and soybeans. It's way past time to take the socialism out of big Ag.
31
@Betsy C That is incorrect. Federal crop insurance is available to almost any crop plant it just happens that the big 3 are easier to insure (due to future markets) and take most of the subsidies.
https://farm.ewg.org/cropinsurance.php?fips=00000&summpage=TC_BY_CROP®ionname=theUnitedStates
2
@Betsy C
Agreed. All subsidies for mass grown crops like corn, wheat, soybeans should be zeroed out, and specialty crops should be free at the point of sale. People would be a heck of a lot healthier. Our monthly food budget would be reduced to about $100 per month.
3
I am ecstatic that China is being confronted for its horrific behavior--its overdue to say the least.
However, there are many ways to put pressure on them, and anyone who is inclined to work hard for America would have exhausted those many remedies FIRST, before asking so many hardworking Americans to sacrifice their livelihoods. Are America's farmers asking themselves why more wasn't done first to put on international pressure? Build consensus? Develop new international markets via the TPP and others before destroying this market? You've been used as a pawn by a man that will sacrifice you cheaply, to no effect--Trump isn't even playing checkers and his resident expert is a joke to any real economist; unfortunately, China is playing chess, and I fear for those good people being spent for the sake of Trump's temper tantrums.
15
As a side note:
In the 1960s/70s, a then-young generation began OD-ing on tofu in everything. A US market for soy beans was developing. Then Monsanto forced farmers into GMO/glyphosate soy crops.
I know I am not the only one who no longer buys any soy/tofu products, unless certified organic and non-GMO, for this reason.
We can thank Monsanto for soy farmers losing the health-conscious base of a potentially huge US market.
13
The huge amount of plant estrogen in soy triggers a serious autoimmune reaction in my system. That's nature, not GMO. Soy is not healthy for people with certain conditions, as many people continue to find out now.
5
@Karen Davis. I can eat only organic soy and corn in the USA. The American grown soy and corn cause incredible GI tract problems. No problems with European products or organic US corn/soybeans.
4
Does anyone know if tax payers will be covering these losses via crop insurance?
5
@Against the Grain The article already stated that the federal government will pay a subsidy to farmers of $0.825 per bushel which will come from tax-payer dollars. If a farmer took insurance then the federal government has already paid 60% of the premium. If the farmer has a sale price policy and cannot sell above the price at which that policy kicks in then yes, the tax-payer will likely end up paying a significant amount of the claim.
2
I have little doubt that the vast majority of farmers in ND,SD and Iowa voted for Trump. Guess they are reaping what they sowed. And don’t get me started on farm subsidies for these folks who are otherwise “libertarians”when it comes to the poor and people without health insurance.
46
The notion of "long term damage" to Chinese perception of the reliability of American soybean supply is nuts: the soybeans are there; China is choosing not to buy them.
The Chinese remember the American cut-off of exports in the Russian grain-harvest failure of the '70s -- we did that to keep domestic food prices low.
China preferentially bought US soybeans BECAUSE it has a managed-trade relationship with the USA -- it's a no-tech American commodity export that China can buy that doesn't hurt domestic producers. Buying American soybeans created a dependency among an American Republican constituency; that was a Chinese goal too.
China can buy soybeans elsewhere, and now they are. It can also grow more, but that is a tradeoff for them against grain.
The Chinese domesticated the soybean about 3,000 years ago. They are among world's largest producers, and their demand, like that of the world as a whole, is rising because of their public demand to eat more meat.
Brazil will convert more rain-forest to soybeans to feed meat to Chinese people. American farmers will shift to less-profitable wheat.
That mountain of soybeans will likely rot.
http://www.earth-policy.org/books/fpep/fpepch9
8
Having a Trade Deficit with ONE country is ok, sometimes advantageous.... having excessive Trade Imbalances with MULTIPLE countries is surely where the problems stack up?
Maybe they can donate their soybeans to Honduras and Nicaragua, so their farmers won't embark on desperate caravans to the US. That will solve the crisis of the caravan, and be the Christian thing to do. It's a win-win, and didn't Trump promise so much winning?
19
@DokYo
Mmmmm, soybeans won’t be much use against the gangs and violence.
1
[Mr. Karel said many of his customers wear red “Make America Great Again” caps and insist that the pain of lost business and lower profits is worthwhile.] Are they willing to put up with the pain if they are out of business, can't afford their mortgages and no longer send their kids to college. Wasn't it Trump said that trade wars are easy to win. The Chinese play the long game were they think and plan 25 to 50 years when Trump will be long dead.
6
I have no doubt these staunch conservatives will be lining up at the government trough begging for financial aid. Their conservatism only runs as far as their personal wallet.
14
I wonder if the farmers realize that all the billions in subsidies Trump is paying to off set their losses from this ill-conceived trade war are added to the out-of-control national debt their children will have to contend with in the future?
31
Brazil can produce more soybeans by deforestation, replacing the american supply.
We all lose by the cutting down of Brazil's jungles, the great carbon eaters of the planet. And this is Bolsonara's plan.
17
Nice article Just in time for voters in rural North Dakota to reconsider their reflexive Republican voting patterns and consider voting for Heidi Heitkamp as a check to Trump's attacks on Free Trade.
18
@David Sharkis
Yes, but have you yet heard any of the affected farmers interviewed say they had decided it was time to acknowledge the error of their ways and stop voting Trumpian? I have not.
7
@David Sharkis -- I'm a liberal democrat and I despise Trump for his personal failings, but you cannot rationally call trade with China "free."
I agree with the proposition that the USA must do something about our trade relationship with China; my beef with Trump on this issue is not that something is being done, but the stupidity with which it is being done.
Anyone attempting to change our trade relationship with China is forced to understand that China will retaliate against American producers of products that are (a) available elsewhere or that China can produce with low marginal cost, or (b) produced by areas of the USA that support the party in power that attempts to deal with our trade imbalance with Russia.
Soybeans were a world-of-duh target. Only a fool would have failed to appreciate that, and plan for it.
The Chinese can grow more soybeans, but for them it is a trade against grain, which is critical.
American soybean producers can switch and produce grain, but it has been less profitable.
The profitability of soybeans has been driven by rising world demand for meat (Chinese too!) -- the meal goes to feeding animals.
As much as I like Heidi Heitkamp -- she is not going to change any of it, any more than she could command the tide to go back.
1
It’s puzzling because it sounds like these farmers where doing quite well with a good market in China for their soybeans. I don’t know what they thought they would gain in this trade war but clearly they are voting to destroy their market and raise bad feelings among Americans who will foot the bill.
19
Curtailing a market for agricultural products does a lot more harm than it does to products like steel, for all the production reasons cited. I wish the MAGA wearing farmers would vote their own interests instead of worrying about culture war issues. How will they have protected their children if their farms go under?
12
How come the price of edamame, fancy name for tender soybeans in the grocery isle, has not come down?
6
Commodity soy & edamame are different. Commodity soy (for oil & feedstock) is harvested at the dry bean stage, (dead, dry plants). Edamame is harvested at the younger shell bean stage (plants still green). They are different varieties too. I doubt commodity soy would make a tasty edamame.
1
@KB
The beans described in this article are mature and dried. They are used to make things like soybean oil and animal feed.
1
Here’s an idea.....take all those unsold soybeans and ship them to the White House. He has all the answers...let him figure out what to do with them..
36
@dearworld2
Right idea, wrong destination.
There's a shortage of soybeans at Mar a Lago. Dump them on the golf course and into the pools.
"Find a need and fill it," as Henry Kaiser used to say.
3
They say you reap what you sow, however, by continuing to support Tramp they will no neither.
7
@jeff
"you reap what you sow" The problem being that after the reaping there is no place to sell what was reaped.
He’s still gonna vote red.
7
The "answer" to the farmers' problems lies at the end of this interesting article: diversifying agricultural production (such as black beans and pea protein) to produce higher-value crops. Pea protein can not only be used to produce plant-based meats and milks, but these (and black beans) are eaten directly by humans, rather than going through the caloric- and energy-inefficient transition to animal protein, with its attendant greenhouse gas emissions, environmental pollution, and animal welfare violations. We have barely touched the potential for growing the huge varieties of grains and legumes as nitrogen-fixers, carbon sequesterers, and valuable sources of food. A shift from monocropping commodity feedstocks would provide jobs, conserve soil, mitigate climate change, and hopefully make farming worth living for again.
21
best letter ever!
3
If I have it correct, having Donald Trump put you and your family out of business because of some asinine trade tariff designed to make him feel good about himself is all the more reason to support and vote for him and his party.
26
These folks are incompetent at best. They borrow money for seed! For all you city slickers out there, do you know what a soybean is? It is a seed. I know of no other successful business model that works this way, they have already drank the kool aid that big agribusiness is selling. They were doomed to fail sooner or later with weather and all that.
They also don't realize that the more rural you are the more dependent on big government you are, do they really think that the hundreds of miles of road that supports these tiny populations are actually built with the insanely low taxes they so hate, while they suck up all these subsidies, soon to be piled up higher by Trump. No, they did not build that, LA and New York City with some help from Houston and Dallas did.
29
I’d like to suggest that you learn the basics of how farming has worked in this country since about 1898.
4
@Robert maybe how things have worked since 1898 should be updated since we now have these computer thingies and and science and stuff with go fund me and direct marketing. Care to explain what else you still do that people were doing in 1898? Darned any socks lately, how bout churning your own butter, perhaps your into canning? Need I go on
Farmers in the Dakotas are worried they'll lose their year's crop thanks to the trade wars? Businesses in the steel industries are closing due to the tariffs?
Cry me a river
This is all a result of a poorly employed vote on 11/9/16, where a *man who is one of us* is given the reins of power to use as he chooses, which happens to be looking out for himself is first, last and only on the priorities list. His attacks on the ACA speak to that. His gifts to the Corporate business world in tax cuts "Forever" while the small amount of the general public actually receiving any cut expires after 10 years.
Yeah, sure, he cares....
Elections have consequences.
29
If North Dakota farmers want relief from Trump's trade war, they can end it tomorrow by re-electing Heidi Heitkamp to the Senate and sending Democrat, Mac Schneider, to the House where tariffs are supposed to be set rather than knuckle-under to this 1930's Smoot-Hawley tariff war (and we all know how that worked out). The argument that this is a "national security" issue is bogus, knuckle-headed, and shows Trump doesn't care beans about North Dakota. China does need to stop stealing our intellectual property, but that's what the World Trade Organization (W.T.O.) is for.
38
@Paul Wortman I agree 100%!
1
I have a great deal of sympathy for farmers who feel betrayed by Trump. I really have none for those sticking by him. They're digging their own graves. Human inertia can be quite amazing. It's not one of our better traits.
16
The decline of China in the late 19th century started with England trading Opium for silver into China. The defeat of the Chinese Imperial forces lead to the establishment of British Hong Kong, the foreign concessions in Shanghai, and the forced openings of the port along the coast. China went through many decades as the "weak man of Asia", with additional humiliation as Japanese forces overran China prior to World War 2. China will never let history repeats itself. Trump is a short blimp, compared to China's long history. She will wait this out. In the meantime pray for the farmers!
6
Having lived in Iowa for almost 15 years, I have some empathy. However, that empathy is tempered by a disgust with the way upper mid western voters bought the Trump lies, hook, line and sinker. Now, they are getting the result that was fully predictable and they will want government subsidies to get them through the tough times. It’s ok for farmers to get the handout, but not for.....(fill in the blank). They will lose more than this years’ soybean crop. They will lose access to world markets that took a generation to establish. All for what? Tough talk from a lifelong liar; more restrictive abortion laws; made up crisis ala the caravan, Obamacare (fill in the blank). When your farms and equipment are in foreclosure, take out that MAGA cap and keep cheering!
33
Will Trump not continue to buy votes and bail out the soybean farmers for going along with Trump destroying their export markets for his personal political gain?
Tax money is unlimited at this point, why complain?
I guess you can, if you suddenly grew a conscience
2
The red states are starting to feel the hurt after they casted their extreme conservative votes. It’s almost meditational to witness the theory of évolution at work, in slow motion...
9
Wow!
I certainly can’t afford a second house in Arizona like many farmers can!
That’s Government welfare at its best!
20
The goal of tariffs is to make the other side suffer more than our side and then they will cry uncle and give in. These American farmers say they are willing to suffer a bit now so their kids will have a better future. So, too, are the Chinese willing to suffer for a better future.
The Chinese people have millennia of suffering behind them, but now they also have renewed hope of a better life for them all.
Can anybody really doubt which side will eventually win Trump’s little tariff war?
8
Note to all soybean farmers: time to learn how to brew soy sauce. Considerable domestic market. Not quite China-sized of course.
OR you could vote in some folks who will protect and help you expand your market. The choice is not hypothetical.
18
News flash... Republican farmers get what they wished for.
The victim’s of Trump trade war will not be limited to the farmers, the entire local agriculture economic infrastructure including farm machinery dealerships, maintenance and repair, feed stores and small banks. The pain will flow down stream and carry with it many.
Be careful of what you wish for you might just get it.
25
Kudos to Dan Koeck. Beautiful photos!
12
Soybean farmers voted for Trump. They are getting what they voted for. It's even worse because they are getting billions in aid to offset their losses when people in the east can't deduct more than $10000 of their property taxes. They need to change their votes.
25
I keep going back to the 2016 campaign Ad where the gentleman stated that he was voting for Trump, "because Trump had a business plan." To this day, I wonder how this man still feels, with all the information that has been released on the Trump's ethics, exploits as a business man, etc.
Trump is taking 1950's economics as a basis for his tariffs. What exists is a global economy, isolationist economic practices might be good for sound bites, however the reality is now hitting home. Farmers are starting to realize their pocketbooks are evaporating, their supply chains broken and their products are being canceled.
The economy is doing well for some, hiring is up and unemployment low. Great but at what cost- our environment, our health care, our laws? Do we progress further to give entitlements to white people to commit acts of violence and racism? To further our society without basic decency and tolerance for diversity? America great again?
19
The only beneficiaries of Trump's trade policies are large corporations - as is the design. When the little guy, who trusted Trump goes under, they will swoop in and buy the business for pennies on the dollar. They are better equipped to play the waiting game because they are diversified and have limitless cash reserves. You can already see the agribusiness vultures circling these ND farms. When they own everything, then you will see a trade deal with China miraculously materialize virtually overnight.
29
A major corporation will receive a major portion of the $1.2Billion bail-out, while the family farmer will receive significantly less. One has to wonder if the Corporation is scheming to buy out the distressed small farmer....and destroy more land for profit, and fewer jobs.
16
The argument that their sacrifices will make their children's lives better is not valid. No one can predict this. So many things can change in 10 or 20 years let along 2 or 3 or even next year, and ironically, Trump being elected president is evidence of this. Remember, this is the man (plus the invisible do nothing Treasury Secretary) who said the stock market would crash without his tax cuts.
7
Lay politics and policy arguments aside. Go back in time to pre-tariff days. Ask these questions of soy bean farmers: Would you support a policy that reduces exports of soy beans to the largest consumer by 94%? Do you support dismantling all the hard work that went into marketing programs to establish you as a reliable source of soy beans? Do you like the idea that your crop could rot on the ground?
My point is, the farmers were not consulted. The current administration placed these tariffs on China knowing full well the Chinese would retaliate. If they had any forward thinking at all, they could have predicted the sorts of retaliatory tariffs we have seen.
The question these farmers must ask now is: What do I plant next year? the year after that? the year after that? Will there be conversations down at the grange like, "Remember the days when...."
8
A few years ago, when large allocations of corn were required to be used as a feed stock to create ethanol in the US, this large artificial jolt to global demand shifted the demand curve for corn far to the right; with little change in the supply curve. As a result, the new equilibrium price rose with this intersection of a new demand curve and old, or unchanged, supply curve.
International economic reverberations from this increased price of corn contributed to political unrest in Mexico and also contributed to the restiveness of the "Arab spring."
Now, the demand curve for US soybeans has shifted far to the left, with another artificial market intervention; and the resulting new equilibrium price intersects the old, or unchanged, supply curve at a much lower price and quantity supplied of soybeans.
With lower demand and shrunken total revenues, as cited, fixed costs continue to accumulate, such as interest expenses, and non-cash depreciation expenses for costly planting and harvesting equipment. With their generational legacies in mind, many of these fixed costs cannot be avoided, or easily deferred, unlike many variable costs, which can be lowered with planting and harvesting changes.
As the Fed follows its monetary policy goals of increasing the Federal funds rate to temper wage inflation via these higher interest rates, the needed, added farm borrowing will reduce profits and cash flows from operations at a time of falling revenues.
11/5 M 11:30a Greenville NC
4
"Some nations that grow soybeans, like Canada, are shipping their own beans to China at high prices and then buying American beans at lower prices to meet domestic demand."
Somewhat like the big banks that were able to borrow huge money from the Fed at almost zero interest, and then lend it out at higher rates, making money on the spread with almost zero risk.
"The Trump administration said in August that it would distribute $3.6 billion to soybean farmers to offset the decline in market prices. The subsidy rate of 82.5 cents per bushel, however, covers less than half of the losses facing North Dakota farmers at current market prices." ---
This is still welfare to red state farmers that will buy their votes in the midterm.
Imagine if you would have known Trump was going to start tariff wars on select sectors. Savvy investors would know how to make tons of money off the ups AND downs caused by Trump's tariff wars.
Don't you wonder if Trump and his inner circle were lucky enough to be poised for taking advantage of this turmoil?
9
And despite the harm Trump has caused, these North Dakota voters are fully prepared to oust Heitkamp, in favor of a Senator who will blindly support an agenda that has brought them hardship and anxiety.
26
A more balanced article may have covered the downside to Chinese indices.
I am Okay buying a product that is not American but I avoid buying one from the PRC. If there is an alternative product, from Taiwan, India, South Korea, I would rather spend my money there because it is not funding a hostile military. It is not helping pay for lasers shined into the eyes of American pilots or ships that hostiley challenge our freedom on navigation exercises.
3
So these farmers will have to sell their winter homes in Phoenix. They may learn what it’s like when the massive crop loans come due and the bank seizes their crops as well as whatever else they get their hands on. The companies that sold them their equipment will repo it, the mortgage lender will foreclose on their homes. They may end up living in a relative’s basement. Cheer up there’s always bankruptcy, food stamps, Medicaid and jobs at Walmart.
I know this sounds like schadenfreude, but these people, though devout Christians, have never learned humility or that bad things happen to good people. We can all be brought low by a simple twist of fate or in this case a President who knows nothing about the global economy and is unwilling to listen to the experts. They think they’re God’s chosen people. It’s time they learned They are as vulnerable as everyone else.
32
@Bathsheba Robie
Sadly, the collapse of corn prices from 1996 to 2000, $~5.00 to $1.75 a bushel, is a not too distant historical example of what's going to happen to many soybean farmers.
My midwest farmer cousin went heavily into corn in the late 1980s. He obtained loans for larger combines, added extremely large storage silos so he could hold inventory for himself and neighbors to sell at the most favorable market prices, and even leased additional land from neighboring farmers to meet anticipated demand. We drove around his operation and were pleased to see him doing well and coming into his own.
But the sustained collapse below $2.50 a bushel drove him, and thousands of others, into bankruptcy. He, and other farmers, couldn't rent out their combines and implements as more farmers put their fields into subsidized land banking programs (not growing crops). Less corn meant no need for those big silos, so no storage income.
He lost everything and ended up with a small house on a small lot far out of town instead of his 1,000+ acres. He's learned not to believe the RWNJ AM radio talkers and is back to being the generous, soft spoken guy of our youth who could fix anything mechanical.
2
I grew up in an agricultural region of our state. Farmers have gone from being the original 'socialists' of our country, to being angry conservatives. Farmers were the ones who created 'cooperatives', yes, socialist-like cooperatives to market and/or sell their crops. At some point however, they decided that medicare, medicaid and other social programs violated their sense of 'fairness', and they moved to conservatism to solve their problems.
They have done well in a global market-based economy. They have done well using migrant workers; yes, many have been 'illegal'. The system worked well until they bought into the con of Donald Trump. They didn't do their research to understand that Trump has been pining for a trade war since the 1980s. And yes, they now are experiencing their worst nightmare in decades.
These are adults who failed to do their due diligence before they voted. For that, many of them will suffer. It does no good to tell them; 'I told you so'. For me, it only confirms what I have known about growers and the agricultural industry I grew up in many years ago.
20
Its astonishing how deep Trumps con runs. If a democratic president imposed soybeans tariffs the farmers would suddenly be going crazy but not with Trump. These farmers are being brainwashed into bankruptcy. What are they going to do when China never returns to buying USA soybeans because they are getting just as good deals from the Brazilians even after tariffs are rescended? Every day these tariffs are in effect is another day to make long term commitments with other countries. I will never understand how so many people have entrusted there lifes bread to a flim flam man from New York when everybody else can clearly see he wants nothing but to enrich himself.
12
It's a good thing the farmers who wear overpriced MAGA hats bought them early. They won't be able to afford them once bankrupt Trump is done negotiating trade deals.
18
What is happening to those soy beans is analogous to what is happening to the country. May these trump supporters reap what they have sown. That they support someone that is actively destroying their livelihood is nothing but stupid. I'm sure they will turn down government assistance while their families go hungry because only mooching black people do that. Right? MAGA, indeed.
15
“We have done long-term damage to the industry.”
That is all due to Trump's stupidity; Larry Kudlow's stupidity. None of this needed to happen. Trump has presided over dozens of failed businesses; his daddy constantly bailing him out. He has no clue what hes doing. And he needs to be reigned in.
Vote Democrat. Vote these clowns out of office; check the destructive stupidity of trump and his scary band of liars.
11
@Homer Kudlow knows better. But like all in Trump's sulfurous orbit, he mouths the company line, even though before he worked for Trump, Kudlow was a total free trader. Trump takes people's souls.
4
Well, Mr. Farmer, you heard his dog whistle, you put on the stupid looking hat, you beat your chest and revved up the John Deere and then you voted for the slimiest city slicker that ever ran for office.
As a former corn and soybean farmer from the upper Midwest all I can say is, you reap what you sow.
39
The Chinese are trying to teach ND to #BeBetter.
64% voted for evil.
2! districts in the tough-guy state voted for Hillary Clinton.
Sorry, y'all failed yourselves.
https://www.politico.com/2016-election/results/map/president/north-dakota/
7
A rather salient point here is the one that is missing. Ninety percent of all soybeans grown in the United States are "made" by Monsanto, the corporate behemoth that owns the patent on the second-largest crop grown in this country. The agricultural giant has successfully sued hundreds of small farmers who attempted to work their lands independently, an outcome enforced by our SCOTUS. The duplicity of rotting soybeans putting farmers out of business, while Monsanto raked in Net Sales of $14.6 billion last year is simply absurd. Not to mention the guile of allowing ownership, in the form of a patent, on a form of life.
21
These farmers should be storming the White House. Never mind what Trump's stated goals are -- history shows NO examples of trade barriers creating good outcomes. Tariffs are a feature of the last years before our Great Depression (years when employment and the stock market were artificially boosted with tax cuts and borrowing.) We are ignoring the lessons of history -- and we may just be doomed to repeat them.
8
If the tariffs on soy beans are lifted in the future it is unlikely that the market will come back, why would any country want to buy from a unstable supplier when much more reliable sources are available?
8
I wish this article mentioned where China has turned for soybeans: Russia.
7
If they voted for him in the face of the obvious lack of scruples and, any actual value creation in his career, they got exactly what they voted for. My problem with these people is that its the promise of white supremacy, that really motivates their vote, and, they make excuses for the charlatan they voted for who pretended to care about the real problems for about 30 seconds.
15
Maybe farmers need to start growing food to feed Americans.
4
And Brazil is massively destroying marshland and jungle for gigantic soybean farms!
The Trade War - like other Trump policy misfires - will harm farmers from now and for a long time to come.
Just one more reason to VOTE!!!!
11
@TheraP
Spot on. I'm glad you mentioned this. Surprised the article didn't connect the dots.
3
To use a phrase often uttered in God’s country, you reap what you sow.
8
Eventually, you get what you VOTE for. Or what you allow, by NOT Voting. Seriously.
11
Instead of taking taxpayer handouts, perhaps these farmers should sell their fancy pickup trucks and vacation homes. They elected Trump, after all.
20
There are a few more subtle problems not mentioned.
The companies, whether co-ops or for-profit, which take in the soybeans, provide storage and drying services which had to expand in the past five years. It sounds like the capital expansion was seriously large. My guess is that zillions of dollars were spent on expansion.....and the cost was financed. The expansion was likely to be paid over fifteen (15) years.....
....I suspect there are some very nervous bankers...including the Bank for Co-ops.
All those shiny pick-up trucks? Add Credit Unions to the nervous members of the financial community.
Call me cynical, but, looking into my crystal ball, i see the GOP farming community begging the government to FURTHER subsidize their farms.....and their bankers whining for a bailour.
14
If I was farming, the last thing I'd do is count on a silver spoon, six time bankrupt racists politician to decide my future. But, in the end the farmers will vote for the republicans, and they'll accept their socialist subsidies for the money they've lost because of Trump's silly tariff war. Then some how or some way they'll come to believe that all of their grief was either Obama's or Hillary's fault.
18
Good luck, North Dakota — in Trump’s America, you are on your own.
9
South Dakota man here, born and raised. Racism has always been the undertow of the Dakotas that has to do with the land theft from the Natives. The subsidized farmers have a long held resentment to the subsidized Natives as they see them as taking from them. We see the SNAP programs belittled because Natives use them, but more whites use them than Natives. These guys do not want to admit that. So now they sit on their soybeans and complain until the government bails them out for a failed business decision. They knew trump was a fraud and con man and yet they voted him in. Time to start cooking those soybeans neighbors. Develop an appetite for the beans. Momma always said don't put all your beans in one basket..or was that eggs? Too bad, you get what you plow.
1514
The logic of the Trump supporters continues to elude me. It's a bit like the post office: continue raising the cost of stamps until people stop using email.
76
@jasan- Well said. These subsidies sound like hand-outs to me that the farmers seem more than willing to take. They should all be drug tested before receiving one penny.
132
@jasan. THIS is the best comment. We have the same situation going on here with our farmers! I was feeling awful about this situation for them, until you reminded me, that this bailout if it even comes is indeed welfare. Farmers are given subsidies to keep going, but detest any program that helps people surviving on minimum wage.
224
Relax, those North Dakota farm boys always have the N.D.S.U. Bison to root for, although that's a crew that can make people tired of winning.
3
While Trump and his cronies are steel and real estate people making the government work for them, they rely on "Kansas" issues to fool farmers into thinking that farmers are Trump favorites. What they are doing is watching the shiny ball while the NYC con picks their pockets.
5
I just hope that these soybean farmers realize which political party brought this debacle to their doorstep...and vote with this knowledge in mind, on Tuesday.
6
Elections have consequences or so I'm told.
8
A visible symbol of how little Trump cares about farmers. Yet, it is not visible to those whose beliefs blind them.
6
Let me let you in on a secret...Trump couldn't care less about farmers or workers of any kind. He respects the landlord class. Period.
16
What the article neglects to mention: the U.S. trade deficit with China has reached an all-time high since this ridiculous ‘trade war’ commenced. It’s questionable whether reducing the trade deficit is a worthy goal to begin with, but there it is. The only economists who would touch Trump with a ten foot pole are members of the profession’s lunatic fringe; so he pursues lunatic fringe economic policies. End of story.
So tired of winning!
P.S. North Dakota undoubtedly will vote overwhelmingly in favor of Trumpublicans 24 hours from now. Might as well keep whacking yourself over the head with a hammer and ask why your headache won’t go away.
7
"As ye sew, so shall ye reap" . . . politically.
Our prayers are with you, and they will probably exhibit their usual level of efficacy.
6
China's retaliatory sanctions are aimed right at Trump's support. So it boils down to this: Are the Trumpians' willingness and ability to endure suffering greater than Xi Jin Ping's willingness and ability to force the Chinese people to endure their suffering? My guess is the megalomaniacal dictator of a totalitarian state will win that waiting game.
3
@Aardman
"Xi Jin Ping's willingness and ability to force the Chinese people to endure their suffering" Most Chinese were suffering before the policies that have led to China's economic development. They will willing suffer for the perceived good of China ... it is in the Confucian tradition, no "forcing" required as long as the government ensures they are fed.
This is a perfect opportunity to make soy products for the US market and start displacing meat as a protein source. Factory farming causes significant damage to the environment and helps contribute (and not a small amount) to global warming. Moreover, it is not possible to feed everyone on the planet if meat is continued to be the main source of protein. Finally, remember that the dog you love is emotionally the same as the cow you eat.
6
"They will take the pain, hoping it will make things better for their children." Really? I think you will see fewer farming families. In periods of market disruption Agribusiness will consolidate its hold and only it will grow. More enormous machines, fewer people, continued depopulation and two senators for a handful of people. What could go wrong? Oh, it all ready has!
12
China has a global food and energy strategy which includes Africa, Latin America and Asia that has been in place for a decade or more. They have and are continuing to develop alternative food and energy sources for their needs on these continents. This, of course, includes soybeans. In addition, all countries in the world now realise any trade or mutual treaty or agreement signed by the U.S. is not worth the paper it is written on. China has a real global plan to 2050 that they will carryout faithfully. We have the Trump administration. North Dakota soybean growers backed the wrong horse and will pay dearly for it over the next decades.
13
This was completely predictable and easily avoidable. The Chinese market won't be back to save these farms.
7
Soy beans can be used to make biodegradable plastic and there is a huge domestic market for disposable plastics in the USA from packaging to bags. In the mid 1950s the steering wheels if cars were actually made from...you guessed it, soy beans. Innovation is the key to success.
4
"Free-DUMB !"
GOP 2018
"In politics, stupidity is not a handicap."
--- Napoleon Bonaparte
15
@Socrates
"For whom the bell tolls, it tolls for thee."
John Donne
As long as they continue to support Trump and Republicans with the same ideas, then they deserve what they get. Sorry, but voting is our only voice - I can't feel bad for them when they continue to support Trump.
14
@rdgelman
Haven't you heard? We will be paying for the subsides given to them to float them thru damages brought on from tariffs.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jul/24/trump-farmers-aid-emergency-billions-tariffs-latest-news
https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/politics/2018/07/24/president-trump-has-plan-provide-billions-aid-farmers-hurt-tariffs/EpA6NPp2XzkpJM8grkWfDN/story.html
They are likely not gunna care that we pay for his decisions.
And that's how he buys their vote. From our pocket to theirs.
Midwest farmers are smart. They are not rubes. But they amaze and shock me me. Trump's policies have damaged them in hundreds of ways, but they continue their blind partisan support of him. Don't they understand that he has no interest in their welfare? Don't they understand that the tariffs he has initiated have nothing to do with them, or even with the health of the American economy, being only an ego-trip for himself?Don't they understand that their only chance for immediate relief is voting for candidates who will curtail Trump's runaway madness? It is extremely frustrating to hear these farmers, who are sophisticated and intelligent about international trade and their own business, talk about how their economic prospects have been ruined, but they still support candidates that enable Trump. We are lost as a nation when this kind of blinkered sycophancy persists.
20
@William O. Beeman
Just a heads up.
We pay. He gains.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jul/24/trump-farmers-aid-emergency-billions-tariffs-latest-news
https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/politics/2018/07/24/president-trump-has-plan-provide-billions-aid-farmers-hurt-tariffs/EpA6NPp2XzkpJM8grkWfDN/story.html
@eagleye7 Not only have the rebates to farmers not materialized (i.e. this is a stunt), the promised payments will not come close to mitigating the losses to farmers. The farmers know this, but they keep voting for Trump supporters. It is a total mystery. That said, you are right. If the subsidies materialize, it is the rest of us who are paying them. More sops to the Trump "base." Clearly Emperor Donald operates on the principle that "to the victors belong the spoils."
6
@William O. Beeman - I'm sorry but how smart is it to put your faith in someone who lies every day?
2
I deposited our soybean check today. It's probably 20% less than last year's.
That's a price I'm willing to pay to put US exporters on a level footing with China. They have restricted access to their markets for far too long.
It's time someone held them accountable.
2
Little guarantee that the tariffs will accomplish that. Trump does not know what he’s doing. His economic adviser says no deal is in sight.
10
Not every farmer with that luxury. The view you express is common - hopefully folks can hang in there until the tides turn.
3
@Jim
How much am I paying from my tax dollars to get you thru this experiment? I'm already hurting from food price increases and increases in all of my insurance costs.
Lets see what happens to gas and heating oil too, after the election. Meanwhile, building costs have gone up so much I'm priced OUT of a house build due to the cost increases.
Your commitment is a stab in my side sir.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jul/24/trump-farmers-aid-emergency-billions-tariffs-latest-news
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/administration-offer-billions-aid-farmers-hurt-trump-s-trade-war-n894066
6
If China stop buying US soybean, they have to raise price to scoop up it in the matket. Other soybean imported nations have no place to buy and must buy from US. Before the tariff taken place, China bought at least half a year reserve. In a month or two either China has to agree to some of US terms then tariff is off the table and China will resume buying US soybean or EU and other countries will buy soybean from US and China will buy it from other sources.
I think US will suffer some pain to change the China attempt to benefit from US trade policies. No pain, no gain. No one has the courage and the gut to force China to change.
Russia is not US real enemy for the future. China is.
2
@Nguyen T
"Other soybean imported nations have no place to buy and must buy from US." Wrong, Brazil can easily increase its soybean production. Both Argentina and Australia have the ability to shift production to soybeans if desired. China could increase soybean production but probably will not, at least by much, because doing so would decrease production of domestic crops consumed internally in China.
We need to readjust farm policy that provides any transfer of funds to farmers in the way of price supports.
3
Probably life is too comfortable for those Dakota farmers that they can vote for whatever they like without thinking realistic outcome. Famer's business depends not only on local demands but globalized needs. Hopefully, the current situation will help them understand government's actions does impact their livelihood.
8
@Usok
They are going to get subsidized big on our dime.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/administration-offer-billions-aid-farmers-hurt-trump-s-trade-war-n894066
1
Seeing those raw soybeans suddenly inspires me to want to start making my own tofu again, it's a lot of work but it's fun. Americans are always looking for new adventures, if half the people in America had some big pots, food processors, epsom salts or gypsum, sieves, cheesecloth and little wooden box presses and made their own, who cares what the Chinese want to do; plus we'd be having so much fun in our owns kitchens making tofu, we could drop cable DSL internet too. MAGA right here with soybeans from home.
2
@John Doe
Most Americans don't like tofu.
4
@John Doe, Yeah because those poisonous soybeans are so good for human health?- Not.
via: https://healthwyze.org/reports/205-soy-is-unfit-for-human-consumption
" Soy's Effects on Human Health
250% increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease
Cognitive impairment
Brain shrinkage and premature deterioration
Produces steroidal hormones
Produces estrogen-like compounds
Vascular dementia
Decreases brain calcium-binding proteins
Early puberty in girls and retarded physical maturation in boys
Unnatural menstrual patterns in women
Malnutrition - soybeans have potent enzyme inhibitors
Reduced protein digestion
Interference with tyrosine kinase-dependent mechanisms required for optimal hippocampal function, structure and plasticity
Inhibits tyrosine kinase which impairs memory formation
Inhibits dopamine
Movement difficulties characteristic of Parkinson's disease
Depressed thyroid function
Infants who receive soy formula are 200% more likely to develop diabetes
Birth defects
Due to suppression of the thyroid, fluoride becomes much more toxic
Inhibits zinc absorption"
1
@quantum, that explains why one of the world’s oldest civilizations and most populated country loves them so, apparently. Imagine where they’d be today if they’d read that report. Putting a .org on anything is like putting a worm on hook for a fish.
"They say they’ll suffer now so their children benefit later — echoing the argument Mr. Trump has made."
As regards the climate its the opposite.
They won't suffer any inconveniences now so their children can suffer later.
18
the long range problem is they lose their market share to brazil
6
Our smallest farmers are multimillionaires, so its hard to become weepy, if they were counting their chickens before they hatched.
4
Common misconception. My farmer friends would disagree.
2
According to the World Bank, the average U.S. tariff on imports is 1.67%, while the average tariff in China is 3.54 %, a little more than double. A tariff of less than 4% is not how China keeps stealing our heavy industries, from steel to solar.
There are a number of factors in the ability of the Chinese government to put our factories or of business while growing output there:
1. They directly subsidize their new industries. This drives down the price below cost, which lets their companies steal market share. Once they drive foreign competitors out of business, they can raise prices to recoup the loss.
2. They have long kept their currency artificially low relative to the dollar, though they have backed off some over the last decade (not year).
3. They have extremely cheap labor. The average wage in China in 2017 (even after decades of growing their middle class) is less than $10,000 per year. The average U.S. wage is $44,000. "Free markets" pushed by Republicans and centrist Democrats have you directly competing with people making a quarter of your pay. (Immigrants are not as big a threat.)
4. Despite making a push in renewable energy, which is the obvious future, Chinese firms are allowed to pollute the air, land, and water.
5. Massive investment in infrastructure gets people to work and goods to market.
Trump's tariff war is not a serous attempt to solve these problems, but merely a political show, like changing the name of NAFTA, without changing its structure.
4
"...many of his customers wear red “Make American Great Again” caps and insist that the pain of lost business and lower profits is worthwhile. They say they’ll suffer now so their children benefit later.."
This is about the stupidest thing I have ever heard. It proves the MASS DELUSION of the MAGA crowd. In my opinion they deserve to lose it all! You can lead a horse (donkey) to water but you can't make him drink!
18
@John
BAILOUT: You pay.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/administration-offer-billions-aid-farmers-hurt-trump-s-trade-war-n894066
1
@eagleye7
Maybe! Sure Trump is trying to bribe the farmers so they don't abandon him but consider that as with all things....he who has the gold makes the rules......the biggest beneficiaries of the bailout funds will be big agribusiness like Monsanto, ADM, and Cargill. Joe Farmer managing his mom and pop operation just to break even won't see much in the way of bailout money and will most likely go bankrupt. In fact it is THEY who WILL PAY not me for supporting a lying snake oil selling con man that deals in in race baiting and class warfare. You reap what yuo sow!
1
Another Biblical trope - they've sold their birthright for a mess of pottage. The market won't magically come back if & when the tariffs end. Never gave a thought beyond the bills of those stupid red hats...
15
Tough beans. This is what you get when you elect a blow-dried real estate scammer from New York City who's lots of tough talk and zero forethought. You'd think the hard-working no-nonsense farmers of the Midwest would be the last people to fall for this.
26
Heartbreaking. And this article is coinciding on my newsfeed with pictures of emaciated Yemeni kids. It may be a naive question, but is there any way to redistribute even a portion of this stockpile to starving populations?
9
@Emily
Emily, great idea! This is why we need more women making the important decisions.
1
I hate to sound callous, as I agree with you sentiment, but Trump doesn’t even care about 63% of his own people. Do you honestly think he cares about Yemen?
6
Quote: "Mr. Karel said many of his customers wear red “Make American Great Again” caps and insist that the pain of lost business and lower profits is worthwhile. They say they’ll suffer now so their children benefit later — echoing the argument Mr. Trump has made."
- or their grandchildren - or great-grandchildren - or ...
At least they should celebrate that they are making Trump and family great again, at the same time remembering that you can't make an omelet without breaking soy bean farmers ... or was it eggs?
6
One word: biodiesel.
3
The Chinese targeted retaliation was completely predictable. Trump could have waited until after the harvest purchase to implement tariffs. His ego got in the way. That and the ignorance of his advisors such as Bannon. If Bannon is your idea of an intellectual, you got a problem.
15
Republicans might want to switch their families to an all-soybean diet.
13
Trump and his sycophants don’t understand the “Law of Unintended Consequences.”
China is a complex society with an over 5000-year history. One does not go walking over to their neighborhood, act like a bully, and get whatever one demands. The hidden elements of China’s people and politicians will subtlety take care of things while not putting their plans on the front page.
Even if tariffs are lifted, the markets in China will not return quickly and possibly will be limited as China makes long-term adjustments.
Back in the 80s, US industry decided to cede manufacturing to markets with cheaper labor forces and that has continued apace since that time. Higher profits eclipsed technology losses. The time to limit such losses was then, not now. It is just too late as effort to return such technology back to the US would take decades and also be very expensive due to construction, labor and supply chain limitations.
One would think someone in Trump’s cabinet would realize this. But sadly, ignorance and bloviating are policy instead of actual well-planned actions.
19
As ND farmers drive their pickup trucks to vote on Tuesday they will pull MAGA hats over their eyes not to see heaps rotting beans, they will hold their noses not to smell the stench, they will turn up the volume of conservative radio. On the way home they will check the mailbox for subsidy checks from the government and plan winter getaway in Arizona.
31
All these farmers have a voice. They can vote no when they encounter a Republican Candidate. Simple.
13
Trump would rather sell military weapons to the Saudis than soybeans to the Chinese. This a great example of how perverted Trump's policies really are. And to think that 40% of Americans still approve of Trump as our POTUS! How low have we sunk?
20
Lots of heat, noise and faith around these arguments, but not being an economist I want to know if there are any examples of tariffs being effective against an economy as large as China. I think the president is a complete imbecile but are these farmers basing their hopes on anything other than the fact that they voted for that idiot because if not, they need to start putting pressure on their party to get this policy shut down before they all go under.
The only example I know of are the tariffs put in place after the 1929 crash which were a complete disaster. Hopefully getting some facts into the argument may help change their minds otherwise their future looks bleak.
7
Iowans, this is what comes from the genius in the White House, and the Iowa Congressmen who support him. Vote the bums out.
14
These farmers voted for an ignoramus like Donald Trump. And now our tax dollars are going to give these people welfare? Not a peep from the racists I know who rail on about entitlements and social programs when needy POC receive them.
19
Yet tomorrow these farmers will go to the polls and no doubt vote for the Republican candidate for Senator, someone who supports Trump and all his rotten to the core policies, including these tariffs. I have not one iota of sympathy for these people. To be hoodwinked once was perhaps understandable, but to continue to support Trump and his minions in Congress, despite concrete evidence of how detrimental their policies are, defies belief. What's sad is that these rural voters have so much influence on what happens in the Senate. If if were only these voters who suffered I wouldn't care. Unfortunately the rest of the country has to suffer also and pay the consequences.
9
China has been stealing proprietary technology,manipulating free trade,dominating SE Asian neighbors and rounded up a million or so minorities for reeducation. Trump called them on it.
China retaliated by striking Trumps base hardest yet they still support Trump.
This indicates a willingness to suffer for a greater good.
Democrats see political opportunities in their apparent acquiescence to their socialist brethrens shenanigans..
2
Good. Let's pay them grow habitat and give the earth a chance to heal. It seems in this country, we know the price of everything, and the value of nothing.
3
I live in Minnesota, also a large soy bean producing state. While I live in blue Minneapolis, I also own a small farmstead in the west central lake district out by Willmar and I can tell you first hand, the farmers there are regretting their support for trump. But it's more than just the farmers. There is a huge labor shortage in that area as well, and turkey producers, such as Jennie-O, cannot find the help they need to run their huge production facilities. The same with the egg producers and the hog farms.
With his double-barrel attack on both immigration and tariffs, tomorrow's election in Minnesota's CD 1 (southern farm land) will be revealing. The metro's west and southern suburbs will most likely flip blue and we may lose the 8th - the northern Iron Range, but overall, I think Minnesotans are tired of the irrational and manic situation our country is currently experiencing under this administration.
15
@Stephen D I hope you're right and that MN will 'see the light'
7
Farm subsidies will bail out these farmers with many additional billions added to the trillion in new debt created by the tax cuts. The sad thing in all this is here we have a president starting trade wars with everyone when none were needed. The markets will change and China will always look elsewhere first for their soy beans. Trump just kills the golden goose because that's what he does best.
9
$12 billion in subsidies, to be exact. Farmers are always subsidized, and no excuse for such federal chicanery this time around.
7
And still they will vote Republican on Tuesday and for Trump in 2020. The behavior of red staters who constantly vote against their own interests is simply mind boggling to me.
14
The collapse of small family farms will reverberate economically throughout the country. It will also increase corporate dominance of the food chain. Notwithstanding the bigotry of those who seek revenge on farmers for being perceived as conservatives, farmers are among the most hard-working and productive members of our society. It will be bad for our future if they are forced to join the parasite classes.
7
If we could peek at Trump's finances, we'd notice a multi-million dollar line-item payment and thank-you note from Brazil for directing so much business to their farmers/government—at our expense.
5
Ah well. To make America great again, someone has to shoulder the pain. I'm sorry for these farmers' plight because when one part of society suffers, we all suffer. But they made their bed; so lie on it. We who disagree will also have to find our way out of this mess.
9
North Dakota farmers need to hunker down, because Trump is going to keep the trade war talk going at least through the 2020 election cycle if not 2022. Trump will never quiet China's fear of future trade wars even if a new agreement is signed. Permanent damage has been done.
I find it so inconceivable that a farmer that is heavily dependent on open trading borders and liberal globalism is all in with a President that is an anti-trade, anti-global nationalist. Why would a man elect a President who's ideology basically would destroy his own business? Forgive me for saying this, but this is what I find so suicidal. They have gambled their livelihoods, if not their farms/homes on the hope that a con man will pull through for them. This is insanity.
1715
"Some farmers in North Dakota say they trust Mr. Trump to negotiate in the nation’s interest. Mr. Karel said many of his customers wear red “Make American Great Again” caps and insist that the pain of lost business and lower profits is worthwhile. They say they’ll suffer now so their children benefit later — echoing the argument Mr. Trump has made."
Some of these farmers are staring into outer space looking at a fantasy world. Do any of them think Trump is their savior or in any way cares about them or their children?
371
@shend
It is the evil version of The Music Man without the charm and wonderful music.
154
"Why would a man elect a President who's ideology basically would destroy his own business?"
Simple. He has five (5) great fears/hatreds:
- women
- abortion
- atheism
- homosexuals
- taxes
Nov. 6
356
Now I would have sworn that I had read somewhere that upon the Dotard administration going into this trade war, that the Chinese government, overnight, declared the intention to order their farmers to
Immediately begin growing over a million acres worth of soybeans to counter the United States. No mention of that in this article.
I sure hope that I’m mistaken, and that the NYT didn’t fail to mention this important fact in this article.
5
Not only that they've all opened up new markets around the world. China won't win this trade War but the damage that is going to be done by Trump it's going to be irreparable. Everybody has a quibble with China about intellectual property being turned over so why don't we try and solve that issue instead of putting tariffs on every single thing they import. You might want to read The Economist once a while because they cover China quite well.
5
Yup, a quick google search after hitting post on my first comment, and come to find exactly what I said.
Shameful it wasn’t a part of this article, it really would have slammed home the point of how lost these Dotard followers are. They had the rug pulled out from under them, and they cry for more of the same. How stupid are these people thatbdamage their own self interests so badly?
4
Interesting that we the taxpayer are now providing welfare to these Republican farmers that voted for an idiot to be president. Since they support his tariffs they should do so with their wallets as well as their votes. Why should my tax dollars help them when all the damage is being done by the guy they support?
72
"The latest federal data, through mid-October, shows American soybean sales to China have declined by 94 percent from last year’s harvest."
Helllooo farmers!
Trump intentionally destroys your livelihood just so he can "flex his muscle" against China ...and you still SUPPORT this imbecile?
Notice Trump's trade wars NEVER affect Trump's or Ivanka's businesses.
12
@JM
Yes, notice how Trump talks with his friends about his trade policy on his cell phone, which his own staff told him the Chinese are listening to.
Trump is working with foreign billionaires to make themselves rich at the expense of 99% of the world population, including you.
Trump and Soros have more in common with each other than they have with the American worker. Stop believing billionaires.
3
The obvious question is why don’t these farmers, shut out of China, sell their soybeans to Americans raising pigs and chickens on industrial farms. Unless those pigs and chickens get much cheaper feed laced with harmful antibiotics.
2
@Victor Sasson In a system where the interests of human beings are what counts, that would be the case. In capitalism when the price of milk goes down you pour milk in the gutters to raise the price. If there is no effective demand let children go hungry. They are free to starve.
3
@Victor Sasson Selling to American livestock and chicken farmers might still be a losing proposition and not warrant spending the money to get beans to that market. Because of the price inelasticity of most agricultural products, farmers are sometimes handcuffed by market forces.
An 82 cent per bushel payment us not a bailout. It's a penny flipped into an empty cup.
6
@ned
It is 82 cents from my pocket to yours. To me it is a handout with no work or community service requirement, no drug test; just money from my taxes into your bank account. So instead of having my roads and bridges fixed, I get to pay for your winter homes in Phoenix.
11
@ned
Yes, at $8.65 per bushel of soybeans, Trump's $.65 per bushel soybean bailout won't do much, especially since Chinese imports are down by about 85% since last year. or about 800,000 tons.
Brazil's exports to China are up 28% though.
If course if Trump has just given us farmers the $.65 subsidy without the trade war, the U.S. could have stolen market share from Brazil. That's how the Chinese steal market share.
If I thought Trump actually cared about the U.S. , I would call him incompetent., but Trump is only interested in Trump and he is doing a great job convincing racist suckers that he's their man.
1
As far as I am concerned, those farmers can suck soybeans. They are part of the reason this maniac is in charge of our country, growing bolder ever day.
Grind up those beans and make gasoline! Grind them up and make soybean patties! Feed them to the chickens! Open a sprout store!
Then THINK about what you unleashed on us!
23
Researching your candidate before voting is important. Trump said he would put tariffs on Chinese goods. You think China would sit back and let that happen? Of course not. We saw this coming. Farmers shouldn't be surprised.
18
The numbers cited in the article don't add up - the author didn't pay sufficient attention to grade school mathematics! If the Trump government is offering a $0.82/bushel subsidy, with a claim (in the article) that this only covers half of a soy bean producer's costs, while farmers interviewed in the article say they need a price of $8.75 to break even, there's a problem!
But the article is correct in pointing out that the Trump tariffs have stimulated other countries to expand their soy bean production; like Brazil-https://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-grains-soybeans/brazil-farmers-poised-to-plant-record-soy-area-in-2018-19-poll-idUSKCN1L61X5
The last thing a producer wants to do is stimulate competition! When you hitch your star to someone who doesn't know how to run a business, i.e. multiple Trump bankruptcies, this is the result!
14
And still the farmers support Trump and his policies. The losses they are suffering, despite a new Federal handout of almost $4 billion that could have gone to education or health care, are the price of white nationalism. I don’t feel sorry for them at all.
19
And yet: North Dakotans continue to favor Republicans who support Trump and his ill-informed trade tactics. Is one to feel sympathy for them, or no, I wonder?
8
@Galen
No!
5
Anyone care to guess how long it will take trump to propose a "relief" for these folks....ones that HE damaged....using OUR TAXES?
7
Anybody surprised that bankruptcy king is failing at business leadership again?
18
I always admired Americans ability to smell a phony from far, more than people in other countries who get used to being fooled. Until Nov 2016...
15
There is no way I am in support of compensating these soybean farmers for voting for Trump! A $12 billion bailout is ridiculous, and we certainly can't afford that next year too! Of course, ol' Senator Grassley has already applied for his share of the bailout money!! I will remember all this at the polls tomorrow
19
Sometimes, unfortunately, you get what you want and not what you need.
1
Sorry folks, I have never been able to afford a winter home. Maybe now I can afford one of the ND farmer's home.
I can't seem to find my empathy especially since they are voting for MAGA again.
What do you tell a man with two black eyes? Nothing he has already been told twice.
14
Trump is very very smart. And he knows the best people. HIs background in New York real estate has prepared him well. And his background in bankruptcy. So I'm sure this will all work out very well for the soybean famers of North Dakota...just like it did for the largest American manufacturers of steel.
10
It's a good thing that these farmers are getting a $3.6 BILLION DOLLAR subsidy, or they would be hurting like the truly poor that got their health care, food assistance and housing gutted.
That $3.6 BILLION should be enough to cover the gap on the payments for those shiny new pick-up trucks and second homes in Arizona.
But, that just leaves the question: Are these farmers going to have to work to repay that money, like the poor who are being forced to work to pay for their Medicaid?
I would likely have more sympathy, but the fact is, these are trump's base and Mitch's base and Ryan's base.....
You have exactly what you voted for, Farmers.
Enjoy.
28
Farmers, I feel your pain. But your vote was like SF residents supporting a candidate that promised to outlaw the internet.
5
This is a perfect storm for farmers: Low prices for their crops, high fuel prices, higher equipment costs as steel prices increase, and higher interest rates.
7
I think everyone agrees that trade wars are not good for anyone. However, it is also a fact that China has been eating our lunch for so many years by pushing highly subsidized products to American and stealing our IP. Everyone agrees that something needed to be done, but no one came out with a solution. President Trump is at least trying something. There is a chance that this posturing may actually work.
3
@Ash If someone's 'stealing' your car you don't solve that problem by locking up your lawnmower - the TPP (remember that?) could've helped. But now, we lose both the intellectual property that was stolen, AND the market for soybeans...yeah it is getting greater all the time.
8
@Ash The roof at city hall was leaking. Everyone agrees that something needed to be done, but no one came out with a solution. The new mayor set it on fire one rainy afternoon with everyone working inside. At least he's trying something.
7
@Ash
you wwrite "Everyone agrees that something needed to be done ..."
Sure, but if you have a headache, do you then apply the most efficient cure ie. cutting your head off? or do you try something less destructive?
and "but no one came out with a solution."
The solution was negociations supported by THREATS to use tariffs as a weapon.
3
Works for me! As a big consumer of tofu & soymilk, for the coming year or two perhaps my costs for those will be a bit lower (or not rise as much as other food costs).
1
That is what you get if you buy snake oil, folks!
There was a reason all those con men made their big money in rural areas ever since this country has been in existence - that is where people trust each other, depend on each other and support each other.
Maybe the view of those Soja beans piling up will teach them a lesson, they have been conned again.
There is no excuse for being ill informed in today's age , Trump has a long history of separating people from their money and I would not be surprised if those farms in the midwest are not worth a "hill of beans" and the Trump organization buys up lots of cheap land to grow food for the hungry masses (in Russia).
54
A war is a game in which both sides looses. No one in their right mind would start a war.
37
North Dakota...Hello Hello...
Mr Trump has made a big mess in your marketplace.
Why did Mr Trump make such a big mess?
Because he and his advisers don't know much about international trade.
The role of Government is to maintain orderly markets.
Mr Trump has created disorder.
Long ago an American businessman wrote with long
experience in Asia wrote "Why Goliath Can't Export."
His main point: American business doesn't understand other cultures.
There are two words in Spanish that sum up the
American attitude: arrogante and prepotente.
Mr Trump displays that attitude every time he opens his mouth.
The North Dakota farmer who noted "we've probably
lost most of the China market forever" is correct.
Buyers have a lot of power.
Mr.Trump doesn't get it.
Yours sincerely,
Ancient Canadian Economist
reference
"Why Goliath Can't Export" The Economist circa 1980
84
@David Andrew Henry
American attitude: arrogante, prepotente y ignorante.
The satirical magazine 'The Onion' once summed it up: Americans know nothing about other countries and cultures - and they are proud of their ignorance.
12
@David Andrew Henry
Prepotente = bully
We have Chief Bully in Charge now.
Those farmers have shot themselves in the foot.
Sad, but they are getting their just desserts.
7
I have no sympathy for US farmers. You elected this madman and now you will reap what you have sown.
74
@jim roberts Yes. IF they all go BK, I won't shed a tear.
@jim roberts
No sympathy either for Trump supporters who lose their healthcare because the Republicans allow premiums to rise after they obliterate the ACA's protections for "pre-existing condition".
In 2014 the HHS reported at least 75% of Americans, ages 45 to 54, had a pre-existing condition. 84% percent among those age 55 to 64.
And with the growing number of injuries from youth sports, (knees, shoulder, ankles, wrists, elbows) those under 30 will be facing huge increases as well because "joint disorders" is considered a pre-existing condition.
Vote Democrat to PROTECT PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS UNDER THE ACA.
4
I'm waiting to see if the farmers who support Trump have some wisdom the rest of us can't see. Yes, it's true that we had a severe trade imbalance with China and other issues between our two countries. But, frankly, starting a trade war doesn't seem like the best way to a resolution. Well, as they, we'll see what happens.
20
I didn't vote for Trump and my son raises Soybeans, he didn't vote for Trump either. Many are criticizing the American Farmer because most voted for Trump and many still support him. The tariffs on consumer goods are currently 10% because Retailers have built up a large inventory that will last through the Christmas shopping season. When these inventories need to be replenished in January the tariffs go to 25%. There is a chance for a settlement later this month at the G-20 meeting in Argentina. The thing that worries me is that Trump sees everything as a Zero sum game you either win or you lose and then you move on. International Trade doesn't work that way. It is more of a give and takes through negotiations and so far he has rebuffed all of the negotiated deals.
62
@JohnMFarmer Thank you for reminding us that you should never label whole groups of people as "voted for so-and-so" and "believes such-and-such". We are all individuals. And we are all Americans....the saddest effect of the past two years has been seeing Americans turning on each other. It's like watching a dog fight. We need to turn our anger where it belongs...not on the other dog, but on the handlers who threw us in this pit. As a liberal-leaning New England farmer, my heart goes out to the Midwest soybean farmers, and my wrath is reserved for the people who are profiting from the current chaos.
25
@JohnMFarmer
Sorry to assert all farmers as Trump supporters.
Our country needs to hear from more of you before you lose your livelihood!
14
Mr. Gebeke is correct - the market won't ever be the same again, once new supply sources and relationships have been established. Trump is destroying our farming economy in the midwest, farm by farm. I find it sad that many of those most hurt and who will suffer financial destruction at Trump's hands still refuse to recognize what he's done. At BEST, soybeans can be stored for about six months; once moisture levels increase in the air above about 13%, the danger of mold and rot increases; there is no storing soybeans indefinitely. I found this information readily online. Farmers who are depending on some kind of settlement being reached within this critical period and markets magically rebounding are, I believe, doomed to disappointment.
61
That imbecile in the White House surely warned North Dakotans of all this during his campaign. Yet whom did they pull the lever for? Ah, well.
Tomorrow.
54
@Red O. Greene
When will Trump supporters realize this man is
just a con man who secretly views those who "work with their hands" with utter disdain.
So do as Trump does....Suffer now so your children will benefit later....maybe.
3
@Red O. Greene
Coloradoan here. Green, of course.
I understand voting to protect one's interests, but why select a moron to do the job?
75
A nationalist like Trump ignores the significance of Brazil as a competitor for North Dakota soybean farmers. Perhaps these farmers should contemplate how long they will be forced to sacrifice in order to make America great again before they head to the polls tomorrow. Undoubtedly once Brazilian farmers gain a foothold in the Chinese market they will do everything to maintain and grow it. Don't expect a nationalist president to understand that.
52
China is already Brazil’s leading trade partner. Brazil’s share of soybean exports to China was the largest on record in 2017.
4
@Beatriz
So perhaps Trump will give the soybean farmers he bankrupted a voucher for one year free tuition at Trump University so they can all learn a new skill called the "Art of the Deal".
8
This is a good example of how important it is to vote and to vote intelligently. The clues have been there ever since trump emerged as a candidate, but looking the other way has brought us to this moment. I don't give a hoot about the ND soybean farmers and their plight. The signs of a conman have been there all along but these fine Americans took a chance on voting for him anyway without an ounce of conscience about his character. Our government is in shambles from the likes of these voters and their republican enablers. Personally, I am doing well in this economy, but my heart aches from what I see happening to our country.
61
@Bella Sentient, informed people have seen trump in action over the last 30-40 years and already had an idea of how poor he would be at leadership.
6
I am sure that the NRA and the Right to Life folks are right this minute collecting money to help those soon to be bankrupt farmers as a thank you for putting their own best interests aside in order to allow military weapons in the hand of every angry white guy and a unwanted baby in the uterus of women who cannot or will not or simply do not want to care for them.
52
These farmers don’t have to worry. There will always be plenty of federal welfare money available to buy the votes of white Republicans.
40
so trump is killing an entire industry more or less at the the behest of the very people who have prospered in it... now that’s what you call stable genius, on all sides
39
Couldn't the red states package these up for the boxes to be sent in lieu of food stamps?
7
"The Trump administration said in August that it would distribute $3.6 billion to soybean farmers to offset the decline in market prices."
Isn't that one major reason why Trump wants to punish other countries?
17
China is the world's largest hog producer. It was also the largest importer of American soybeans used in its hog feed. It has since stopped buying American soybeans in retaliation for Trump's tariffs. More significantly, China has changed its hog feed standards to reduce soybean content to only 11-13%. Once Chinese hog breeders cheaper alternatives to soybeans for their feed, they will never go back. And American farmers will be left with mountains of unsold soybeans. Thank you, President Trump, for trade wars that are "so easy to win."
44
Once again, American citizens, in this case farmers, are suffering from Pres. Trump's extreme and heavy-handed approach to challenges. As usual, he's a bull in a china shop.
During the last administration, American intellectual property owners were making progress in Chinese courts against theft; partially because Chinese IP owners had grown tired of the same. Likewise, exporters around the world were making progress against Chinese protectionism through direct negotiation and action through the WTO. This tact is slow and arduous and not the kind of thing that appeals to "the base" in news bits, but preferable to what we see happening in the Dakotas.
Good thoughts won't help the folks in the Dakotas and other farm states, but maybe prayer and market realities will. Meanwhile, feeble cash payments by the Trump administration and hope are all many have to live on.
10
@sam ogilvie
Trump calculates...
300,000 soybean farmers in America out of 150 MILLION voters.
So Trump concludes...
Soybean farmers must sacrifice for Trump.
4
No problem. The government will just buy the rotting soybeans. Let's just not call it socialism, OK?
78
@PS
American farmers should make Trump eat soybean burgers every night through the termination of his presidency.
8
@JM - Best comment of the day.
4
And still, they keep voting for Trump and other Republicans. Have they been drinking soybean laced koolaid? Or do they think their opposition to abortion is somehow more important than their economic well being? Keep voting Republican, North Dakota, and you will see the art of the deal is no deal, just hot air.
34
So much for growing OUR food. These guys (mostly) are international commodity dealers just like the oil barons.
Good ol farmer Jones’ looks at his computer feed as gps guides his combine. Maybe Finland?
Some, I’ll bet, would like to dump their rotting bumper harvest on the White House lawn. Maybe Mr. MAGA could use it for tacos at Maralago.
14
TPP ... Does China care? No, since the entire South Asia Sea is blockaded by The Chinese Navy, paid for by the American consumer. Pass all the TPP agreements you want :-) says China but not 1 fishing boat enters or leaves that quarter of the world without our blessing
3
A little irony, hypocrisy with these farmers, as some comments indicate? But what about a bit of liberal hypocracy? What if our president (not this one) had decided on tariffs, new trade deals because China was imprisoning dissidents, reneging on autonomy promises to Hong Kong, building islands for military use in waters claimed by others or were international? Free speech, real elections - a thing of the past. Stealing our technology, demanding our tech companies aid in their repression.....and we liberals, progressives do....what? Want to go back to free trade with tyrants, look the other way as dissidents rot in Chinese prisons?
Progressives, Greens, should be out in those North Dakota towns, volunteering to help make crop choices, marketing opportunities, advice on...changing over to organics where possible, spreading the word to buy- yes, American.
Sure, Trump has his own .....reasons for this trade decision, but I frankly don’t like feeding tyranny, with food, jobs, concessions, or anything else. Stand with our farmers- for once.
4
@Jo Williams, your what-if-ism is ridiculous and in Trump's case, always absolutely irrelevant because every single equivalency you can attempt to put out here is easily blown out of the air by the truth and by the facts. As for your charge against Progressives and Greens - what are YOU doing commenting here instead of being out in those North Dakota towns volunteering to help make crop choices? I'm a retired attorney - I may be able to teach people how to research the law (not that anyone is interested in the law these days), but coaching somebody on picking which crops to grow, not so much. So aim your arrows where they make some sense!
13
I’m a consumer of foods, not an expert on farming, and certainly not an expert on North Dakota weather, soil, storage for different crops. But there are many Greens, liberals who are. An opportunity to help shift away from one crop farming, towards organic, towards local/national markets- shouldn’t be dismissed because this president is....what he is. And you didn’t answer my point- what are you doing to dissuade China from becoming more oppressive, more belligerent, more aggressive. If Hillary had been elected, had decided tariffs, embargoes were needed for humanitarian reasons....what do you suppose this comments section would be saying then? Right things for wrong, questionable reasons, are still the right things. As for law....lol....with this Supreme Court, your talents have fertile ground, I’m sure.
4
I have no sympathy for the soybean farmers. They supported Mafia Don at their peril and now their support is hitting home. They’ll have plenty of time on their hands to ponder their decision when their businesses go bust.
20
@Mark
Yeah, but for now they'll really enjoy being called "Welfare Queens".
6
Someone ought to tell those farmers they trade war isn’t ending anytime soon and their soybeans are going to rot, but they will get paid when the federal government bails them out.
11
I hope the farmers can understand “once burnt-twice learned” and realize who they voted for,
7
Those intoxicated with the prez as an entertainer, those smitten by his self-pronounced skills as a deal maker on his reality show that was fake/a con-job, those believing he was a successful business man with great business skills (all lies) would serve our economy, are only waking up to reality. Their trust in him and his message is costing them dearly.
He who occupies the oval office feels no allegiance or responsibility except to his family and his money. He does not understand nor care how his proclamations cascade into damage and losses for anyone, let alone those who support him, let alone farmers growing soybeans. Not until soybean farmers lose their businesses, equipment, farms and money will they see the full scope of the injury he-who-wants-to-be-king has inflicted.
The country will see more damage to come, inflicted by djt and his dealmaking skills. And the pain will migrate to all elements of the country.
11
Chaos is what Trump does best to our collective detriment and will be felt for years. I can see how pushing farmers to the edge (and over) would benefit big ag. We have big pharma that works so well for a few, why not put even more farm ground into the hands of huge corporations - that would work out well. Instead of individual farmers we'll have corporations having even more control over our food supply. Call me paranoid . . . just saying.
9
Chinese demand will not lessen. Once the tariffs are lifted they will be in a much better position to bargain with Americans who will have to compete with those suppliers who have replaced them. Market share is hard to get and keep.
2
@Slow fuse Demand being supplied by Brazil and elsewhere won’t reappear, you’re right, this will have a long-term consequence.
6
And I bet those starving farmers are still gonna vote for Trump and the right anyway, even though it's Trump and the right who are starving them. Oh well, I'm sorry if I can't find any sympathy right now, I've run right out. Let them starve.
10
Now the U.S. government will step in and buy all those soybeans that would have been bought by the Chinese had it not been for Trump's tariff debacle. Wonder what they will do with all those beans?
4
@Clark Landrum
They’ll add them to Ronald Regan’s Generous blocks of cheese and ketchup and feed the poor.
4
A smallish town in Eastern Washington is the location of a plant that manufactures parts for solar panels that they sold to a China solar company. Since the trade war with China, that plant has paid off one hundred of its former two hundred employees. That small town cannot afford that kind of loss. But, hey, anything to make trump great again.
22
@David Kannas having lived in Eastern WA, I’m curious about the name of the town.
There is this phrase at the end of the article that reads: "Also, unlike the big cash crops, specialty crops can’t be hedged."
Why is that? Can somebody explain?
@Joris Farmers sell futures contracts to deliver their production for a certain price and date. The contracts mean the farmer must deliver at the price. If the price, in the future, drops they are covered. If the price rises, they lose unless they can close the contract and a sell at the higher price.
1
@Joris I’m not a farmer but, I’d guess it’s because the demand for ‘specialty’ crops is not as predictable as that for the industrially-produced crops like corn, wheat, or soybeans. Also crops like fruit/vegetables are fragile, and can’t just be siloed. Refrigeration helps, but then those foods don’t taste as good as they used to.
3
@Petra Lynn Hofmann
Thanks Petra, so if I understand this correctly, the phrase "can't be hedged" then means futures find no buyers or, put differently, price speculation on "specialty crops" isn't a money maker? Or do I see this wrong?
Poetic justice. The soy bean farmers better raise their domestic marketing game. Got soy?! "Trade wars are good and easy to win" overlooks the fact that there are often significant casualties in most wars - on both sides.
20
Would you expect Apple to only sell iPhones in the United States? Of course not. It’s a global market and the US farmers ramped up production to meet a growing international need.
2
I bet all those farmers are really tired of winning so much, by this point, aren't they? Is America Great Again yet?
24
In a word, Trump has no idea how ANYTHING works.
That is why most voters voted against him.
His vacuity was self-evident, to the majority of Americans, in 2015.
I have no sympathies for those who voted again their best interests.
36
Nobody is wishing harm on anyone here. However, it looks to me and others that what folks are saying is what our mothers should have taught us first and foremost. There are always CONSEQUENCES to decisions you make, so choose wisely. The fact that many American farmers have accepted large cash government "handouts" in the form of Farm Subsidies and used it to invest entire regions of the nation in a MONOCULTURE, had "disaster" written all over it. These same farmers reliably vote Republican and decry Welfare and Government Handouts. My son lives in a rural area of Illinois, and his county and indeed the entire state is covered with two crops ONLY. Soybeans and corn for cattle feed that is inedible for humans. Period. And these endless fields that roll out as far as the eye can see, all display signs along their roads that read Monsanto, Cargill, Archer Daniels, etc., right next to these fields.
74
@Entera so sad – and the same people who accept perverse incentives from the government to perpetuate this horror no doubt claim they are staunchly opposed to socialism.
Corn and soybeans BTW are not healthy food for cattle, one reason that feed lot cattle are so unhealthy and have to be pumped full of drugs to stay alive.
14
@Philip M Not true. Corn and soybean products are part of nearly all prepared human foods. Read the labels at your supermarkets and you will see what I mean. You are correct, of course, about cattle being pumped with drugs and cows should be eating pastures, not corn. The other major, major issue is that the corn is genetically modified and causes cancer. GMOs are a serious threat to our food system.
1
@Entera Please read my comment to the other gentleman who replied to your post. Illinois has been corn country forever because corn is a mainstay to the American diet. I used to live in a college town outside of Chicago surrounded by fields of corn. And about those signs: they used to be primarily a flying ear of corn with DeKalb emblazoned across it. That was for DeKalb Ag Research which worked on healthy hybrid corn varieties. Then Monsanto purchased DeKalb Ag and destroyed it with patented GMOs which cause cancer and prevent farmers from owning their own seed. Many farmers the world over have killed themselves over what Monsanto has done. Monsanto Roundup pesticide is part of the corn which is a killer, too. Corn is also turned into ethanol, a gasoline additive you will see at Midwestern gas pumps. So, you see, corn is not a monoculture. It is pretty much used for everything, in a way like oil is. The big issue is that GMO corn is unhealthy and causes cancer and the ingredient you will see everywhere "partially hydrogenated corn oil" is a major cause of obesity. If you like a corn product, you must go with organic.
1
Why do farmers believe Trump's claim that the pain of lost business and lower profits is worthwhile and their children benefit later? When has he shown himself to be worthy of their trust?
36
"They say they’ll suffer now so their children benefit later — echoing the argument Mr. Trump has made."
Right. That $1.5 trillion increase in the national debt to give very wealthy people a tax cut they don't need is going to strengthen our country for decades to come.
61
Chinese politicians think "long-term" means centuries. And they plan accordingly.
American politicians think "long-term" mean their next election cycle of 2-6 years. And they plan accordingly.
China will NOT change it national economic plans for a US politician that can be bought-off with red carpets, parades and pageantry. Whether Trump is POTUS for 4 or 8 years, he is simply a bump in the road and not worthy of serious consideration.
39
I am sympathetic to the soybean farmers.To the extent that they voted for,and believed in Trump, they have learned a very costly lesson.They must know that free trade is good for them since they raise a valuable commodity.Why would they not know that Trump trying to “punish” China with tariffs was a terrible idea.They put their livelihood on the line and are suffering the consequences.These farmers know their business well, they should NEVER have supported Trump imposing tariffs- he is terrible with economics and certainly knows not the first thing about farming.Time for farmers to abandon Trumpenomics!
30
@Janet Michael when the repo man comes for their million dollar equipment reality may set in that they are the welfare queens.
13
@Janet Michael Actually, when you read the article, it doesn't sound like they have learned their lesson at all.
7
Do they think digging coal and accelerating climate change, exploding the deficit, and bankrupting rural hospitals with Medicaid cuts will also be "good for the kids and grandkids"?
388
@Winston Smith
Thank you.
Rarely does their total hypocrisy ever get pointed out.
11
Don't these people know they are being economically and financially RUINED by Donald Trump based on his bizarre (and false) premise that trade wars are easy to win?
Yet the likelihood is that they will return Republicans to Congress who won't stand up to Trump, and throw out their ONE true advocate in the Senate, Heidi Heitkamp.
It's often said we elect the politicians we deserve. And in the case of the Dakotas, it's going to be blatantly true tomorrow night.
And the kicker is: Who is going to have to subsidize them, yet again? Why, us, the taxpayers in the donor Blue States!
Of the 30 Trump states, 26 were moocher states, and only 4 were donors--and 3 of THOSE were barely flipped from Blue.
Of the 20+1 states & DC that went for Clinton, 13 were donor states, one was break-even, and only 7 were moochers--but 3 of THOSE are because they are the seat of the Federal Government: DC, Maryland and Virginia.
We subsidize virtually ALL the Red states. And that includes the Dakotas. Hopefully, enough North Dakotans will see the light tomorrow.
226
@Dadof2
Yes, Senator Heitkamp is likely to be voted out by North Dakota, in large part because she voted her conscience rather than her own self-interest, and refused to install Brett Kavanaugh as a Supreme Court justice.
15
I'm trying to decide exactly what sort of deal would be worth losing that soybean market. It better be YUGE! Regarding the 3.6b subsidy--it sounds like a short term loan on a long term lie...
31
Well, I don't know about you city-slickers, but I know for sure how Granny Clampett would have dealt with an over-abundance of rotting crops: Free "Rheumatism Medicine" for all! :-)
But seriously: the idea that only corn can be turned into ethanol is wrong. Also the idea that you can have a maximum of 5-10 percent of ethanol in your fuel. The Koenigsegg CCX is one of the fastest cars in the world, and it goes from 750 BHP ot 850 BHP when converted to bio-ethanol. And look at Brazil: you can get 80+ percent ethanol at every fuel station since the 80's!
So don't worry, farmers, it can - and will - all be put to good use, if the government is competent. Errr, wait a minute...
15
@Martin How about donating the crop to countries ravaged by famine: Yemen, Sudan etc. Make something great out of their loss.
28
That’s a good idea. But in the case of Yemen, the Saudi are blocking humanitarian aid from being distributed and meanwhile bombing civilians.
10
@John Edelmann
bootstraps, my friend, bootstraps
2
Trump has actually made the trade deficit with China worse since he took office. And it’s a real shame because the soybean farmers are being hurt for no good reason and bilateral trade deficits are largely meaningless anyway. Yet this President will hurt many Americans to pursue a policy that is pointless. There is no pot of gold at the end of this rainbow, only a lot of misinformed voters who really think that a trade war could be in their long run interests. It isn’t. It’s a tough lesson, as even now, Trump does not understand what a trade deficit is, and routinely overstates our deficit with China when he speaks about it.
30
@Al
Trump doesn't understand, but what about the Republicans in Congress? Do they not understand? They have the power to stop this.
3
Current American foreign policy yields horribly starving children in Yemen and rotting mountains of food in North Dakota. Need we say more about the utter mess Trump and his insanely dogmatic simpletons are doing to the world?
133
@Neocynic
"Current American foreign policy yields horribly starving children in Yemen and rotting mountains of food in North Dakota."
That is the type dynamic rhetorical combo we need a lot more of. Nice. Unfortunately for the gullible crowd that bought into Trumps words - all he really has(no healthcare, no infrastructure, no wall paid for by Mexico, or us), it will take the stark reality of the myriad of Trump-caused disasters to wake them up - hopefully.
3
@Neocynic
Isn't it obvious that humans are genetically insanely dogmatic simpletons at large?
If we weren't, there would be no horribly starving people anywhere.
Too many are unconcerned about "the world", and only focus on "their" little part of it.
The trumps and their minions are merely glaring examples.
4
Some of these farmers that voted for Trump still trust him?? I have zero sympathy for these people. If they haven't figured out yet that they voted for a con artist, they never will. We are deep trouble.
166
@Paul Shindler They are paying for it with their livelihoods. It's sad to see but their ignorance and rabid anti-lib, anti-immigrant worldview got them into this mess.
14
China will win this trade war this foolish and destructive POTUS began.
17
Area farmers DO NOT sell to China or any other country. Area farmers only make the decision to sell to the local grain elevator 10 miles to the east or the local grain elevator 12 miles to the west. Would be nice if media stopped the myth that farmers sell to various export markets. It is all about the middleman Agri-business decisions. Farmers are stuck with the result of agri-business decisions.
6
@Scooter tell me what difference this makes as they voted for Trump..
2
@Chuck Agreed - by voting for Trump, the farming community baited their own trap... farmers have little control of their destiny, because they are at the mercy by agri-business. Bio-diesel ( ie. ethanol ) is just another false economy. Farmers need to pressure their various domestic associations to develop new products for their soybeans ( and corn ). But general public is often left with the impression that farmers make the decisions sell to export markets directly - this is rubbish. It is agri-business...
2
@Chuck One only has to read the first two paragraphs in the article to understand my point about the "myth" that farmers sell to export markets. "how many of HIS soybeans Chinese companies have purchased". "and by shipping most of those beans". Once the farmers sells his produce to the "local" elevator, the produce is no longer "his" - it is now owned by agri-business. This myth keeps being promoted, many times even by farmers themselves. The reality is that farmers are not in control of their markets. And if they choose to support Trump that only exasperates their issues.
So, welfare for farmers is okay? Where is the Republican outrage? $3.6 billion to soybean farmers to offset the decline in market prices. They voted for Trump- take your lumps as we do with no welfare for us and a monster tax increase.
156
@John Edelmann The Republican Party has abandoned the Conservative philosophy of free trade and free market forces in lieu of government intervention. They now embrace tariffs and bailouts and the idea that the government will be picking winners and losers in various markets. That is ironic because it is closer to Soviet-style economics than traditional capitalism. The same people who complain about “socialism” now support protectionist policies implemented by socialist countries after WWII.
1
@John Edelmann They need to drug test the farmers too before they can qualify for farmer welfare.
Farmers are whiners. Trump’s trade policies are going to make America great again.
4
Tariffs and trade sanctions will bring those weasily Chinese and Iranian leaders to their knees. Whereas, tariffs and trade sanctions imposed on us Americans only strengthens our resolve. That's what makes us exceptional: we're incapable of seeing the inconsistencies in our own logic. To an exceptional degree.
34
To the commenters disparaging these farmers, a sign from flyover country. “Without agriculture, you’d be naked, hungry and sober”.
2
@Jaded Trader Nothing against soybeans, wish the ‘farmers’ were as smart or smarter.
8
@Jaded Trader
With the president that they support we’ll be naked, hungry and drunk. Someone will figure out how to ferment all those soybeans .
10
From the far west side of the east coast - I don’t disparage the farmers, but I wonder why they vote for a man whose simpleton view of the world has the capacity to ruin their world utterly and completely.
8
Is China still the main purchaser of our debt? We will see the farm bubble burst before this is over and then we may fall into a real depression that will take us all down. These farmers are trump die hards and I guess, I thought farmers were a bit smarter. When do they begin thinking with their pocket books rather than their blind ignorance? Are trumps motives purely to weaken America as Putins puppet?
17
I'm sorry that anyone has to suffer because of Trump's incompetence, but if thats the case, it's only fair that the people who voted for him bear the burden. I hope they'll find his idiotic rants soothing while they go bankrupt.
113
@Grover Amen!
7
These guys are now living on the taxpayer dollar from the blue states they hate. Get to work less, spend more time in their Arizona winter homes. Welfare kings, of course they vote R!
110
My Canadian friends are happy to see this. Trump is a lying racial bigot and serial adulterer only interested in making money for himself and has conned voters in states like the Dakotas into believing he has their interests at heart. For us it’s not just Trump we despise but those who scream America First and support his destruction of Canadian jobs and incomes. “As you sow, so shall you reap” is particularly apt.
79
"They say they’ll suffer now so their children benefit later — echoing the argument Mr. Trump has made."
The blindness of people constantly amazes me. When has Trump ever done anything that turned out well for anyone but him? Bankruptcies, constant cheating, lies, Trump University, steaks, ties, casinos. Everyone but he and his family end up holding the bag. And yet people continue to listen to his drivel.
I guess it's easier to believe it than to actually think and realize what a chalatan he is.
94
It is sad that these hard working people are now reduced to waiting in line dor Trumps new welfare program for farmers.
17
I look at this and I cannot help but feel bad. Yes they are voting against their own interests. The Republican Party (long before Trump) taught them to prioritize their ignorant prejudices and to vote their fantastical religious convictions over their own welfare. I am furious that it has worked. It was no genius strategy: they were played. Their nagging discomfort with change was legitimized and glorified until they became proud of how little they knew. I am mad at them...
But this is over the top. This is going to ruin people’s lives. Families’ lives. These are not people in a city whose skill sets are transferable or whose next employer might be down the road. I grew up with farm country and work with enough of them to know that this will crush them in every way. They don’t have the skills to step into another industry readily. Some will be losing what it took generations for their families to build. Many will have to flee already dying rural areas which will cause a cascade of loss for all the businesses that already struggle to draw enough foot traffic to stay open.
We liberals will survive. We will protect those Trump attacks outright. But his legacy is going to be suicides, ghost towns, and despair across the heart of this country. The worst devastation in generations is being inflicted upon them by the man they hoped would help protect their “way of life”. They made a bad choice... but nobody deserves this. I’m so sad about what is about to happen to rural America.
38
They helped elect this guy—whether out of sheer bigotry and hatred or willful, blind ignorance. Those who supported him are not deserving of any sympathy when one considers the horrid racist, misogynistic acts he has perpetrated on so many Americans. The ND farmers made their bed with Trump; now they get to lie on it.
12
The people who voted for him should bear the worst of his idiocy. Perhaps they will begin to think beyond the tiny echo chamber of fear-mongering they’ve lived in once they realize that choices have consequences beyond the simpleton fantasy nonsense Fox News spews.
15
@Andre they deserve every bit of this and more. These people are not rural America they are imposters posing as farmers. Greed is why they voted for Trump.
7
Read the book "Fear" if you want to gain insight into the shallow (read: nonexistent) thought process that Trump puts into decisions this momentous. He makes decisions like this with less forethought than these farmers put into the color of a new pickup. He makes these decisions frequently against the advice of people who have worked with these issues for decades; and he makes them either out of ego need or pique. Or the need to appear "strong," which it turns out is what drives Donald Trump. He's still trying to prove to Daddy that he's a "killer."
I hate to say it, but if you are thick enough not to see Trump for the con man that he is, you have no grounds for surprised when your life is brought down around your ears financially. If you are so overwrought because America doesn't look or sound the way it did in the 50s when you were growing up and that made you support an amoral buffoon for the presidency, frankly, you deserve whatever you get. I have absolutely no sympathy for these farmers. They are reaping what the have sown.
183
I grew up in rural Alberta, staunchly Conservative until just recently, and will be again once this left wing blip is erased. Farmers, of course, did not vote for the blip and bemoan its outrageous socialist agenda, even as they demand the government pay for flood damage to county roads, weather related crop losses, to grow certain crops and not to grow others and subsidize any agricultural industry adversely affected by low prices, whatever the reason. And they see absolutely no hypocrisy in any of that.
They are the world's breadbasket, salt of the earth, feeding the world with the sweat of their brow. Every second vehicle on our highways are trucks, every second commercial features the rugged toughness of the latest model, overlaid with the rich baritone of a modern Lorne Green extolling its manly virtues.
The truth is dismal in comparison. That rugged farmer used to exist. He was poor, the sweat of his brow permanently salted into the brim of his dirty hat. He did have a love of the land, the animals he raised, the crops he harvested, and was proud. His wife and children worked alongside of him, doing double duty in the kitchen and the fields.
Those days are long gone. It's big business now and the big business men need to put on their big boy pants and play in the real world of global commerce like everyone else in that world and stop whining and asking for handouts like those poor people they like to call freeloaders.
32
Excuse me for saying that it is difficult to feel sorry for farmers and others who consistently vote against their own interests. Are they sick of "winning" yet? Their crops are rotting, their rural hospitals are closing, and they walk around in their MAGA hats. When you make your bed...you sleep in it.
111
There are a couple of old adages that apply here-if it sounds too good to be true it probably is, and, there is no such thing as a free lunch.
Perhaps those farmers should think of those when donning their red hats that indicate support for the con artist they support, and the free lunch he has promised but possibly will never deliver.
I would say to those farmers, you broke it, you bought it and their are no refunds or exchanges.
29
The big corporate farms will get a Government subsidy and lay off their workers and come out relatively unscathed.
Fortunately laid off employees living in North Dakota will be eligible for Medicaid, expanded under President Obama.
31
Understanding Trump is easy. All of his actions are based on empty promises, followed by a show of action, all with the ultimate goal of sowing chaos and self-destruction.
Look at Trump's life. He figured out how to reap millions via failed investments. He builds, takes the money and then allows what he built to fail. But since what he built is all based on the show of corporate names he never suffers.
His biggest claim to fame was a television show. All show.
He flies through the nation not calling people to their best, but calling people to their worst. He supports rage; he lies; he uses the Presidential megaphone as a high school bullies megaphone. His words are constantly negative, constantly attacking.
Expect good to come our of a man who is always promoting rage and anger? Classic case of going to the gas station expecting to pump out milk.
52
It seems like a few farmers understand the long-term impacts this trade war will have on their current and future business.
Once China finds another reliable source for soybeans they won't need the US to the same degree ever again. It's already happening: Ukraine is looking to plant more soybeans, Russia offered 2.5 million acres of land to Chinese farmers to plant soybeans. And that's just the beginning - Brazil will continue to plant more and invest in infrastructure to move beans from their interior to the ports. China will also begin to test out other sources for feed (they already are this year).
All told this is trade war could signify the height of the soybean market for US farmers - they might never see the same prices again.
31
@Michaelu re: China, while the pres. was flying around to his rallies, the Chinese have strengthened their borders, made inroads into Africa, which will be their ‘breadbasket’, even Pakistan and eventually Iran will hew to the Chinese way, this isn’t like Japan in the ‘80s.
7
Lots of bankruptcies coming up in 'Trump Country'. It is a great opportunity for the large agricultural corporations to buy even more land at rock bottom prices. Maybe the former owners and farmers can be serfs on what was once their land? Of course, mosts are to obtuse to even remember they stole the land from it's native occupants not so long ago. What comes around goes around, evidently.
14
I grew up in Minnesota near eastern North Dakota. They support the various co-ops and State owned businesses such as the North Dakota Mill and Elevator yet are staunchly anti socialist. I was there recently and even as tRump destroys their markets they continue to support him. Even as the decry welfare and socialism they will have no trouble accepting billions from the government to bail them out after destroying the market for their Soybeans. The hypocrisy is stunning.
193
@DCN North Dakota: the only state with a socialist bank.
14
I lived there for many years. They have forgotten the history that the DFL party is and always has been the defender of farm programs. They belong to member owned cooperatives founded by their grandparents for their fuels, their telephone, their electricity and their grain elevators but believe that socialism is bad. They still believe but refuse to think. Many North Dakota farmers would vote for anything with a pulse that has an R behind its name, no matter how much pain it costs them and their children. Just reading the article and remembering the cognitive dissonance and fervent misguided beliefs is proof enough.
1042
Here on the Eastern Shore of Virginia the fall soy bean harvest is just finishing up . The Trumpsters have a slight majority here in Virginia 2 and will probably re-elect Scott Taylor while he is under investigation for election fraud against his Democratic opponent , Elaine Luria . Go figure .
80
@tom "but believe that socialism is bad." Kind of strange because there is no "socialism" in anything they think is socialism (ie, the state does not own their farms). Doubly strange because the midwest was the epicenter of progressive thought back at the turn of the beginning of the 20th century when farmers had to organize to combat the railroads and industrialists for good commodity prices. Guess they've forgotten all that...
61
I'm worried about my farm friends in Minnesota. They are hard-working, intelligent, admirable people who understand that Trump is a fraud who couldn't care less about ordinary Americans. They are still a bit mystified about how so many of their neighbours were duped by him. Let's hope that a Democratic Congress can repair some of the senseless damage inflicted by the Republicans.
996
@Steve Ellis Actually the vast, and I do mean vast, majority of their neighbors were and are duped by Trump and Co. Outside of the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area Minnesota voted solidly red in 2016 and probably will do the same tomorrow.
105
@Kirby
Two Democratic senators, five of eight representatives too.
As is the Governor.
State houses senate 76 to 55 dems
House evenly split.
Fake news.
8
iPhones, houses, cars, and other products are piling up. I’m not a Trump supporter. History is a process without a subject despite human vanity to pretend otherwise
8
When these people voted for Trump, they voted for rotting soybeans. Or to make the message even simpler, "tough beans."
20
@Jason Shapiro: Learn to love tofu, middle America. It's a favorite of "coastal elites."
I met a young farmer in upstate NY years ago who was having trouble making ends meet. His solution? Planting marijuana amidst the corn. And, that was in the 1980s.
2
This is one of those so called teachable moments with the lesson being an unsellabe mountain of soybeans. Perhaps some will learn early, but sadly the majority won’t. It’s time to eliminate all farm subsidies and programs and have farmers join the real world of capitalism.
19
How about all the people who used to be involved in the shipping of soybeans? Dock workers, truck drivers. Bailouts for them? Nope. Kinda hard to see who is on whose team, ain't it?
26
Soybean Farmers:
You reap what you sow!
You voted for Trump, and now look what has happened.
Why don't you ask Trump for more subsidies.
18
First my father in law and his friends and then my brother in law, myself and our children hunted pheasants in that area of SD from just after WW2 until the the 90s.
We became friends with the farm families who allowed us to hunt on their land. They are not stupid, reactionary or evil. But they harbor a false sense that they are independent of the government, work harder than anyone else and for the most part unknowing about life in metro areas but suspect the worst.Trump tapped into that vein demonizing the others and they liked it.
They will suffer for their support of Trump but will be too proud to admit they made mistake.
We all have made mistakes and suffered for them. Perhaps in time the folks on the plains will recognize theirs and learn from them.
955
@Edward Blau - I grew up in the region. Some of my family still farms there. The farmers who voted Trump (by a margin of 93% to 6% (!!) in the township where I grew up, and my parents still lived in 2016) are indeed not evil. And in many senses they are not stupid either - it takes real intelligence and sophistication to run a farm successfully, even with all the support they get. But they most definitely ARE reactionary and they are politically unsophisticated, if not actually ignorant. They have a political viewpoint that made it easy to buy into Trump's anti-immigrant, anti-foreign, (white) America-first agenda. That they believe the outcome of Trump's presidency will make the country better for their children demonstrates this better than anything.
711
@Steve Demuth. Problem is, ‘ America First’ plan has made other countries, especially friends and allies, turn away from ‘America First’. Tough to get that trust back. Trump’s vicious attacks on Canada has soured our love of America. I hear it all the time.
191
@Steve Demuth
So they are “intelligent” bigots and preserving whiteness is the most important thing. Got it.
149
Make America Great Again? On the backs of American farmers?
Simple economics. Government handouts are not the same as sales of agricultural products to China, Canada and other countries. Taxpayers have to pay for handouts...but you already knew that, right?
And, while your markets are drying up because of this senseless trade war, those countries are actively looking for suppliers. That's the way capitalism works.
But...it looks as if you will yet again vote against what's best for yourself and other farmers, ranchers... and the American economy.
12
It is unfair to bail out these farmers, at the taxpayers expense! These farmers would not be so patient with this trade war, if they weren't being paid off by Trump with our money. They voted for him and they should bear the cost of that support. Welfare for rich farmers is ok ,but food stamps and medicaid/healthcare for the poor is a bad thing? And the Evangelical Christians vote for these people?
134
The idea of overproduction should be considered along with the small margin of profitability in highly mechanized industry like agriculture. China’s growth is also slowing down for similar reasons in other branches of industry. Apple stopped publishing sales volume because market for iPhones is saturated. Houses sales are slowing down as well and their prices coming down as well. Not enough customers for too many products.
In this context tariffs are a desperate attempt to curb a phenomenon, which is only a reflection of a deeper essence. The farmers who voted for trump did so having in mind an illusion. The problem is not for individual humans to solve because it is intrinsic to the contradiction of production for profit. Overproduction is always followed by losses that reestablish equilibrium to start cycle again. They come in many flavors- sometimes as crashes and other times as corrections. No politician can’t do anything about it except sell magical solutions. To these corresponded equally deluded people with narrow self interest. Tragedies are born out of this dynamic.
7
I am more than a bit dismayed to see so many comments wishing farmers and other groups who support Trump nothing but the worst. My association of such hate and vitriol primarily with the right is obviously incorrect.
I'm no supporter of Trump, but do perversely admire his ability to lie and to [relatively easily] manipulate the media. Given that, it's unsurprising that so many groups continue to be deceived into supporting Trump.
5
@Gp Capt Mandrake
Are those comments wishing those farmers the worst, or just pointing out that they voted for the worst, stuck the rest of us with the worst, and now many of them are whining about it? It was possibly the easiest slam dunk ever to see that the embarrassment in the White House was/is totally unqualified, incapable, unprepared, incurious, corrupt, and dangerous. Yet North Dakota voted 63-27% for him, and probably would again.
It's hard to be sympathetic to those who intentionally shoot themselves in the foot.
13
Making America the seventies again.....
one bankruptcy at a time.
16
@Marty When do we elect Jimmy Carter?
Food rots while Yemen starves. Makes perfect sense.
37
Yawn...
Let's see... a little list of what the GOP is working overtime to destroy:
1) Unions..the GOP HATES Unions more than they do Democrats.
2) Soybean farmers (Trump to Bannon et al: "Just what ARE soybeans anyway?!?!??")
3) Social Security and Medicare, and Medicaid...and Food Stamps a LOT of which are used by WHITE senior citizens.
4) Accessible care for pre-existing conditions.
Who will turn out in droves to vote Republican?
1) Union workers
2) Soybean farmers
3) Senior Citizens who want to "MAGA!!!" like when they were younger and knew they could depend on Social Security to be there when THEY were young employees, and when whites ruled everything.
4) Seniors and others who HATE "Obamacare" because the "Muslim Kenyan President" created it.*
Anyone see the disconnect here?
IN my hometown in W. PA, there is a refinery FULL of Union Workers, as well as over in Erie PA, the GE Locomotive plant which is Union....WHO do they support?!?!?!
Donald "I won't EVER hire a Union worker for MY building projects" Trump.
You can't feel sorry for people who take that hammer and hit themselves in the head and then Cry/Whine/Pout when it hurts. ( Are they "Snowflakes" by chance?!?!?!")
* Comical how Trump voters are A-OK with Trump kissing up to MUSLIMS in Saudi Arabia. Guess it's OK with them to watch him setting up his future real estate empire over there for HIS family, who WON'T have soybeans on the menu.
215
@Ignatz
I am a commercial real estate lawyer and have talked to many construction managers who were supervising the construction of office buildings ( the Lipstick Building, for one) in NYC when Trump was in his father financed heyday. Trump refused to hire union because he knew he couldn’t stiff union workers. No principles involved.
39
@Ignatz. Trump wouldn't hire a union member to work on his project because he knows and knew back then that you have to deliver when dealing with unions. Trump never paid full pay to his workers. He cheated them out of millions and many of those court cases are still pending. I hope he is made to make up to those people. By now it must be billions that he owes and. I hope he has to pay those he cheated.
14
@Ignatz
Not defending Trump by any mean, but there's no one to kiss up to in Saudi Arabia but Muslims. And please remember, that the "Western Powers" and their oil companies created the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, not the Saudi's themselves.
2
Maybe it’s time for rural America to wake up and smell the coffee. It’s not too late to vote democratic.
23
Meanwhile, growing demand from China for an alternative source of soybeans will accelerate the felling of Amazonian rainforest in Brazil, threatening biodiversity and accelerating climate change: http://wwf.panda.org/our_work/forests/deforestation_fronts/deforestation_in_the_amazon/
20
Soybeans and their products like bean curd are healthy alternative to animal proteins why are we not consuming more of the delicious soybeans in our country and making up for the decrease in soybean imports. When I first visited Beijing, China in 2004. there was restaurant nearby and I decided to have a beer and what came with beer was a plate of salted soybeans in pod boiled with whole red hot peppers. This was more delicious than our usual snack chips and corn tortilla. Okay so there was a little bit of work in processing soy beans to remove the soybeans out of the pod but I saw it as additional fun and reminder of my mom who would boil peas in a pod and serve them to us as boiled pea pods. Yum.
8
@Girish Kotwal
Soybeans are NOT a healthy alternative to animal proteins! Where have you been?
Soy is hugely disruptive of our endocrine systems, most specifically, our reproductive hormones. Soy is very estrogenic, feminizing males when consumed a lot, increasing estrogen loving breast cancers in women.
And "delicious?" Surely you are confusing soybeans with something that is delicious.
11