Midterm elections are less than a week away, and the farm community has been a hot topic among many of the candidates running for office. There are many ag issues to consider, but one of the most impactful issues from the federal government has been the Trump administration’s trade policy. President Trump’s aggressive tactics have brought in both wins and losses for the farm economy. Ron Baumgarten, who served as Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative in the first Trump administration, talked about the differences in trade policy between President Trump’s first and second terms.
Baumgarten said tariffs have been a key part of President Trump’s trade policy.
However, many of President Trump’s trade deals have been handshake agreements, so Baumgarten said the effectiveness of some of these deals remains to be seen.
This aggressive trade strategy has also led to intense market volatility, which has hit farm country the hardest. Baumgarten said the Trump administration has taken some measures to alleviate this, but farmers are still feeling the squeeze.
Baumgarten said the Trump administration has been acutely aware of the issues farmers and consumers have over the prices of things like fertilizer and groceries, respectively.
Baumgarten added that, even if Democrats take control of the House and Senate, it is unlikely that President Trump will significantly change his trade policy.
Baumgarten, who is now of counsel with law firm BakerHostetler, specializes in international trade law and negotiations, representing clients in AD/CVD proceedings, USMCA appeals and agricultural trade market access.
