It’s been a volatile first six months for President Trump’s second term in office, and few of his policies have been more unpredictable than his tariffs on other countries. On top of that, few industries see more of a direct impact from these tariffs than agriculture. Aaron Lehman, president of the Iowa Farmers Union, said the chaos from Trump’s trade policy has exacerbated the current economic issues that farmers are facing.
This heightened economic stress forces farmers to make difficult decisions. Lehman said that some farmers even have to put off bringing the next generation on the farm, which is problematic since the average age of the farmer only continues to rise.
Lehman did note that tariffs can, in theory, be a part of a successful U.S. trade policy. However, he said that it can’t come at the cost of the livelihood of farmers across the country.
The current trade policy is often described as bringing “short-term pain for long-term gain.” Unfortunately, Lehman said he is worried that most small-scale family farms won’t be able to weather the initial storm long enough to see any potential benefits in the long run.
Lehman also called for action from Iowa’s elected leaders to speak loudly about the reality that Iowa farmers are currently facing.
For more information, visit iowafarmersunion.org.
