One of the constant media themes over the past couple of years has been the story of how terrible Donald Trump’s trade wars with various countries – particularly China – have been for farmers in the midwest. They are allegedly further angered by the President’s “favors” to the oil and gas industry in the form of waivers granted to smaller refineries under the Renewable Fuel Standard, leading to lower prices for corn. This, if you believe what’s regularly repeated on CNN and other outlets, has led to Trump’s support among those in the agricultural community declining. The farmers are angry at the toll that’s been taken on their profits and their way of life.
This mantra has been picked up in outlets both large and small. One example can be found in this breathless article from The Gazette in Iowa. It declares, “No more Iowa nice!” The article then goes on to suggest that farmers are so upset with Trump’s EPA that he’s losing support among a group that was previously solidly behind him.
The warnings were pointed and the language forceful.
Iowa renewable fuels industry leaders and farmers are not happy with President Donald Trump’s Environmental Protection Agency. And that frustration may be costing the president significant support in a state he won handily three years ago.
Well, that certainly sounds pretty bad. Trump could be in real trouble if he’s losing the support of these folks. Except there’s a problem with the coverage. The people who are quoted are, for the most part, not farmers at all. They’re representatives of some of the largest organizations in the ethanol lobby. Of course they’re upset. But what about the actual farmers? Somebody should poll them.
Oh, wait. Someone already did. And in a surprising turn of events, Trump’s support among midwest farmers has actually increased significantly this year. (Farm Journal)
Farmer approval for President Donald Trump rose to 76% in September, according to the latest Farm Journal Pulse Poll. His ratings rebounded from a fall in August amid turmoil over trade deals and corn grower discontent over oil industry exemptions to ethanol blending requirements.
The August Pulse marked the first time the president’s ‘strongly approve’ rating among farmers fell below the 50% mark, dropping to 43%. However, that number showed a strong reversal in September by climbing to 55% “strongly approve.”
“The rise in the ‘strongly approve’ category, to 55% from 43%, is important,” noted Pro Farmer Policy Analyst Jim Wiesemeyer, “because that shows...
Why shouldn't they be happy?
ReplyDeleteLet's see...
Japan, a formerly semi-closed market for US foods, has basically bought the stuff Red China said they wouldn't buy.
Now Red China is buying what they said they wouldn't, at higher prices.
Even after the floods and storms of this year, American Farmers are still outproducing everyone in the world.
We're selling beef to Japan. BEEF!!!
And, of course, with the Porkopalypse in Red China, we're now selling pork to them bastiges, too!
The only farmers who are bitching are the corn-for-ethanol suppliers, and they will be able th make money selling to California fuel mixers.
Yeah, Trump is bad for farmers...