October 6, 2025

Let's see. Farmers are consistent supporters of Trump and his policies. And because they are a powerful political lobby, they will successfully be reimbursed for the massive losses imposed by Trump tariffs. The rest of us can go take a flying leap. Via the Wall Street Journal:

You knew it was coming. As President Trump’s tariffs damage farmers and businesses across the U.S., the victims are besieging the Administration for relief. The long lines at the Commerce and Agriculture departments are the latest proof of self-destructive tariff folly.

Soybean farmers appear to be next in line, as their main export market in China has shrunk as Beijing has retaliated against the Trump tariffs. China has turned to growers in Argentina and Brazil as alternative soybean suppliers. U.S. soybean exports to China totaled 218 million bushels through August this year, down sharply from 985 million bushels in 2024.

The industry is understandably seeking help from the Administration that is the source of its trouble. One idea would be to negotiate a deal that gets China to repeal its 23% tariff on U.S. soybeans. But instead the Trump Administration is considering a bailout plan with direct payments to farmers.

CNN reports the bailout could be as large as $10 billion to start, and don’t be surprised if it’s more. The farm economy is struggling this year owing to tariffs as well as the shortage of labor amid Mr. Trump’s mass deportation plans. Exports typically account for some 20% of U.S. agricultural production.

The looming bailout is a refutation of the claim that tariffs are cost-free. They aren’t if, like soybean growers, you are the target of retaliation. Mr. Trump likes to say that tariffs are a windfall for the Treasury, but not if much of that revenue is going back out the door in subsidies to offset the tariff harm.

First Mr. Trump imposes tariffs that he says only hurt foreigners. But when that turns out not to be true, he takes political credit for payments to offset the damage as if he’s somehow protecting the American farmer. How about not hurting them in the first place?

The op-ed conclude:

Success in American business these days increasingly depends on how well you are liked at the White House, more than on your product, technology or management acumen.

Mr. Trump’s tariffs are great for the political class, not so much for everyone else.

You didn't think they were doing to criticize owner Rupert Murdoch, did you? LOL

Right wingers say farmers will need a $50B bribe after Trump spent $20B to try to keep Javier Melei afloat after he poached US soybean markets.

www.politico.com/news/2025/10...

emptywheel (@emptywheel.bsky.social) 2025-10-02T22:29:37.809Z

History lesson: the best way to stop farm consolidation is stop doing bailouts.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=mD50...

Sarah Taber (@sarahtaber.bsky.social) 2025-10-06T00:02:56.677Z

The idea that farmers don't want this assistance AGAIN (how many farm bailouts have we had?) is pretty fucking funny. I mean, they can always reject it if they're so against "welfare."

Molotovsky (@grifftheimpaler.bsky.social) 2025-10-03T14:30:04.896Z

The fact that they supposedly think of this as welfare but all the other government handouts they get are just business as usual is hilarious. I live in farm country & all I keep thinking is “oh no! They won’t be able to buy the 2026 pickup trucks & will just have to suffer with their 2025 models”

Jo (@service-worker.bsky.social) 2025-10-03T14:46:24.895Z

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