Sun, 14 Sep 2025

Sun, 14 Sep 2025 US farmers are being squeezed - and it's testing their deep loyalty to Trump

Why so many corn belt Americans continue to back Trump, even while feeling economic pressure driven partly by his trade policy
1. Farmers' Support: Despite the economic strain caused by the tariffs, many American farmers continue to support President Trump and his policies. 2. Belief in Long-term Benefits: Farmers like John Maxwell, a dairy farmer from Iowa, believe that the tariffs will eventually make them "great again" and make trade with China fairer. 3. Historical Context: Professor Nicholas Jacobs of Colby College suggests that rural Americans have been feeling alienated and left behind by globalization and technological change since the 1980s, leading to a shared grievance and opposition to urban liberals. 4. Polarization: Prof Shepherd from Michigan University believes that America's polarization has led to "selective blame attribution," where supporters of Trump are willing to forgive his policies as long as they're implemented by their own side. 5. Damage to Farmers: Analysts warn that even if the tariffs are dropped, the damage to American farmers could be long-term due to the shake-up in supply chains. Some quotes from the article:
* "We think the tariffs eventually will make us great again." - John Maxwell
* "We're giving him the chance to follow through with the tariffs, but there had better be results. I think we need to be seeing something in 18 months or less." - Joan Maxwell
* "They might be really angry about some things that are happening, but they're reticent to blame Trump for them." - Prof Shepherd Some possible questions based on this article: 1. What factors contribute to the continued support of American farmers for President Trump's policies? 2. How will the long-term effects of the tariffs on Chinese goods impact American farmers and the global supply chain? 3. In what ways does polarization in America affect the way people respond to policy decisions made by their leaders? These questions could lead to a discussion about the complex relationships between politics, economics, and social issues, as well as the challenges faced by farmers and rural communities in the context of globalization and technological change.
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