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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsTrump's $28 billion bet that rural America will stick with him
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue was fielding questions at a farm show in Decatur, Ill., in late August when his boss rang his cellphone. Perdue put the call on speaker and placed it next to the microphone so the crowd could hear Donald Trump speak. During the almost seven-minute call the president defended his handling of the trade conflict with China, which has cut off American farmers from one of their most important export markets. Yet he was quick to remind them that hes tried to salve their pain. I sometimes see where these horrible dishonest reporters will say that oh jeez, the farmers are upset. Well, they cant be too upset, because I gave them $12 billion and I gave them $16 billion this year, said Trump, who then added, I hope you like me even better than you did in 16.
A couple of years ago, a pep talk from Trump might have drawn raucous applause from one of the presidents key constituencies. This time the crowd was subdued. The aid package that has come in is a relief, and it softens the landing, but its not a solution, its a Band-Aid, says Stan Born, a farmer who attended the event. When asked if the payments make him whole, Born, who grows 500 acres of soybeans near Decatur, responds, Of course not. Hed rather have free trade, he says.
China hawks in Trumps administration want Beijing to quit subsidizing strategic industries, yet that hasnt deterred the White House from doling out billions in aid to American farmers, who have become more dependent on government money than theyve been in years. At $28 billion so far, the farm rescue is more than twice as expensive as the 2009 bailout of Detroits Big Three automakers, which cost taxpayers $12 billion. And farmers expect the money to keep flowing: In an August survey by Purdue University and the CME Group, 58% said they anticipate another round of trade aid next year.
Farmers became collateral damage in Trumps tit-for-tat tariff war with China, which is being waged primarily for the benefit of such sectors as manufacturing and tech. Agriculture is actually one of the rare U.S. industries that consistently runs a trade surplus, and not just with Chinatestimony to the gains that have accrued to American farmers from globalization.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/trumps-dollar28-billion-bet-that-rural-america-will-stick-with-him/ar-AAHwRxV?li=BBnbfcN
What the hell. It isn't Trump's money he's spending.
PhoenixDem
(581 posts)what he doesn't get is that people always want an honest day's living over handouts. Handouts take away their dignity which Trump cannot give them at any price.
Wellstone ruled
(34,661 posts)is two for two on those Farm Shows. The first one in Minnesota he step on the toes of some of the Children who's fathers spent their own time and money opening the China Markets. Most likely the same happen at Decatur.
roamer65
(36,739 posts)Zero, zip, zilch...nada.
Give them a taste of unfettered Social Darwinism.