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Farmers

Kansas Farmers Struggling Amid Trump's Tariffs as GOP Candidates Embrace Unpopular Agenda

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Democratic Governors Association reveals that Kansas soybean farmers are facing significant challenges due to the ongoing trade war with China, with many struggling to find a market for their product. The issue is exacerbated by President Trump's tariffs, which have closed the Chinese market to American farmers, leaving a shortage of buyers for Kansas-grown soybeans. Despite the devastating impact on the state's agricultural industry, Kansas Republican gubernatorial candidates have chosen to align themselves with the President's trade agenda, even as their constituents continue to suffer from the consequences of the previous trade war.

Key Takeaways:

  • Kansas soybean farmers are struggling to find a market for their product due to the closure of the Chinese market, which was exacerbated by President Trump's tariffs.
  • The Chinese market, which once accounted for 62% of U.S. soybean exports, has plummeted to 18% since the start of the trade war.
  • Kansas Republican gubernatorial candidates have chosen to publicly support President Trump's trade agenda, despite its detrimental impact on the state's agricultural industry.
  • The DGA has criticized the Kansas GOP for their extreme stance on the trade issue, arguing that they are "out-of-step" with their constituents who are suffering from the consequences of the trade war.
  • The impact of the trade war has been particularly devastating for Kansas soybean farmers, with the DGA stating that they are "caught in an extreme race-to-the-right" that prevents them from speaking out against the President's trade agenda.

Statistics:

  • 62%: Percentage of U.S. soybean exports that were sold to China before the trade war began.
  • 18%: Current percentage of U.S. soybean exports that are sold to China, a drastic decline since the start of the trade war.
  • Tens of billions of dollars: Estimated losses incurred by US soybean farmers as a result of the previous trade war.

Sources:

  • Topeka Capital-Journal
  • Kansas Reflector
  • Democratic Governors Association
  • https://democraticgovernors.org/updates/kansas-farmers-struggling-arent-going-to-have-that-great-year-as-gop-gubernatorial-candidates-embrace-tariffs/

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