What if free trade isn't really free? Tariffs are a distortion to free market economics. The only problem: We don't have a free market economy as countries prop up and protect their native industries with restrictive rules on — or even entirely against — imports. In this episode of The Business of Agriculture, Damian Mason digs into the numbers (our trade deficit is equal to Holland's entire economy), the impact on consumer purchases (it might be overstated), and why manufacturing (much like Agriculture) matters for national security. Damian delivers pointed perspective on the trade turmoil and closes by asking American Agriculture, "When will you finally learn your lesson about China?"

🎯 Key Topics:

Trade protectionism vs. free market economics
U.S. trade deficit and global competitiveness
Tariffs, consumer impact, and market dynamics
Agriculture and manufacturing as national security pillars
Strategic risks of over-reliance on China

The Business of Agriculture Podcast with Damian Mason is Sponsored by:

NewFields Ag | https://newfieldsag.com
Redox Bio-Nutrients | https://www.redoxgrows.com
Harvest Returns | https://www.harvestreturns.com

Also, make sure to check out DamianMason.com, XtremeAg's The Cutting The Curve Podcast and The Granary.

394 - When Free Trade Isn't Free | Why U.S. Agriculture Must Rethink Trade with China | Damian Mason