The Bulwark Podcast Heidi Heitkamp: How Trump’s Trade Chaos Hurts Farmers
23 snips
Oct 30, 2025 
Heidi Heitkamp, former U.S. Senator from North Dakota and chair of the One Country Project, dives deep into the impact of Trump’s trade chaos on farmers. She reveals how his trade deals have harmed agricultural markets, particularly soybeans. Heitkamp addresses the challenges facing rural economies and urges Democrats to reconnect with voters through authentic economic policies. She advocates for grassroots solutions to political gridlock while assessing the need for bold, nontraditional candidates to energize the party.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Farm Economy Under Distress
- Farmers and farm bankers are increasingly nervous and accepting land as the only collateral for operating loans.
- Rising consolidation and outside investors buying farmland risk further harm to rural economies.
Rural Economy Is More Than Farming
- Rural economies extend far beyond crop prices and include healthcare and local services.
- Consolidation of suppliers and buyers drains money from small rural towns and hurts local economies.
Ranchers Lose Out To Processors
- Ranchers' share of retail beef has shrunk due to concentration in processors and feedlots.
- Futures market shocks from trade announcements can cost ranchers hundreds per head.