The Indicator from Planet Money What do farmers do in a trade war?
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May 6, 2025 American soybean farmers share their emotional struggles in the wake of a trade war with China. They discuss the anxiety of dependency on exports and how government policies are endangering their livelihoods. The financial pressures of rising costs and falling prices create an uncertain future. As tariffs take their toll, the shift from hope to despair in the agricultural community becomes evident. Expert insights reveal the broader economic implications of this trade conflict and how it may reshape farming forever.
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Life of Farmer Anthony Bland
- Anthony Bland is a third-generation farmer who values independence and living off the land.
- He finds farming challenging due to nature and tough conditions, yet feels a deep connection to the lifestyle.
Brad Smith's Trade War Experience
- Brad Smith experienced optimism early in 2019 with good prices but felt the impact when trade tensions escalated.
- Chinese tariffs on soybeans, reaching 125%, drastically reduced U.S. soybean sales, hitting farmers hard.
Soybeans: A Trade War Target
- The U.S.'s top export to China is soybeans, a crop heavily impacted by tariffs in the trade war.
- Losing the Chinese market creates an oversupply and under-demand situation for U.S. soybean farmers.