Agriculture isn't nearing trade war tariffs crisis -- 'it is a full-blown crisis already' farmers say
Source: NBC News/CNBC
April 28, 2025, 11:26 AM EDT / Source: CNBC
The clock is ticking on trade deals that the U.S. will need to strike with many nations, most notably China, to avoid what Trumps treasury secretary has described as an unsustainable tariffs war. But in the U.S. farming sector, the damage has already been done and the economic crisis already begun.
U.S. agriculture exporters say the global backlash to President Donald Trumps tariffs is punishing them, especially a decline in China buying of U.S. farm products, leading to canceled export orders and layoffs. Peter Friedmann, executive director of the Agriculture Transportation Coaliti (AgTC), a leading export trade group for farmers, tells CNBC the number of canceled purchases of U.S. agriculture should not be described as approaching a crisis. It is a full-blown crisis already, he said.
Data released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture on Thursday revealed China made its biggest cancellation of pork orders since 2020, halting a shipment of 12,000 tons of pork. AgTC says massive financial losses are already being shared by its members as a result of the trade war, based on reports it is receiving from member companies.
A wood pulp and paperboard exporter reported to the trade group the immediate cancellation or hold of 6,400 metric tons in a warehouse and a hold of 15 railcars sitting in what is known in the supply chain as demurrage, when fees are charged for delayed movement of goods. Meanwhile, the exporter said there are 9,000 metric tons on the water to China expected to arrive on May 13 and facing the threat of costly diversion to Chinese bonded warehouses or to other countries as Chinese buyers may refuse the cargo and abandon it at port.
Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/business/economy/agriculture-isnt-nearing-trade-war-tariffs-crisis-full-blown-crisis-al-rcna203309

Blues Heron
(6,844 posts)littlemissmartypants
(27,412 posts)It's no fun losing your income. Especially, when you're barely making money to begin with.
Taxes and equipment leases are not cheap.
I'm hoping to not lose any more of my retirement nest egg and my social security.
I don't think people realize how many legacy farmers committed suicide every year, even before this disaster.
Democrats.
Blues Heron
(6,844 posts)travelingthrulife
(2,171 posts)littlemissmartypants
(27,412 posts)I'm surrounded by farmers and see farmers multiple times a week and have not heard one say anything like that.
democratsruletheday
(1,293 posts)and all so avoidable. BTW, I understand that people on here are frustrated that so many farmers voted for the Orange POS 3 times BUT.....like you said, many farmers didn't vote for him one time and don't deserve this. We have to try and stay together, not fracture which is what he wants. The more chaos and misery then the more he consolidates power and money...it's simple.
littlemissmartypants
(27,412 posts)Votes of farmers every one keeps referencing.
JustAnotherGen
(34,799 posts)That farm to feed/export others - not Americans. MY family farms to feed Americans - no pain for us at all. We are pulling back a third in each state this year . . . I'm anticipating that people are going to be counting their pennies more. No point in growing something that is just going to rot.
underpants
(190,237 posts)Mixing the two stories.
What a disaster.
Comfortably_Numb
(4,188 posts)monster that so many of them voted for. Good job, farmers.
littlemissmartypants
(27,412 posts)It's no fun losing your income. Especially, when you're barely making money to begin with.
Taxes and equipment leases are not cheap.
I'm hoping to not lose any more of my retirement nest egg and my social security.
I don't think people realize how many legacy farmers committed suicide every year, even before this disaster.
Democrats.
nowforever
(497 posts)The Orange man has managed to change the global order and turn the USA into a collapsing super power. I was fearful this could happen but thought it would take at least 6 months. Has there ever been a worse first 100 days in the history of the World. Our nation is coming apart and the cowardly GOP slink deeper into their fetid trenches. Thank God Putin is delighted so Donnie can golf with less worries.
Random Boomer
(4,311 posts)Trump was allowed to wreak havoc by the GOP Congressional majority. They bent the knee and ceded their own power. They put the good of the country last, showing just far greed and self-interest has rotted out the core of this country.
republianmushroom
(19,690 posts)littlemissmartypants
(27,412 posts)and I most certainly didn't vote for him. Neither did all of my farmer friends, family and neighbors.
It's no fun losing your income. Especially, when you're barely making money to begin with.
Taxes and equipment leases are not cheap.
I'm hoping to not lose any more of my retirement nest egg and my social security.
I don't think people realize how many legacy farmers committed suicide every year, even before this disaster.
Democrats.
Rhiannon12866
(233,244 posts)They had 11 children and that generation and the succeeding ones are all lifelong Democrats. Not to mention, my grandfather was the eldest son and he and his closest brother joined together to fight in WWI. My grandfather delivered ammunition to the front on horseback and my great uncle fought at the front and was awarded the Silver Star.
littlemissmartypants
(27,412 posts)It really wasn't that long ago either. I'll try to make time to tell you about what my maternal grandfather did. Let's just say it earned him the nickname Dogwood Man.❤️
republianmushroom
(19,690 posts)I surely won't but I will help pay for It.
littlemissmartypants
(27,412 posts)I personally, have never taken a bailout or any FEMA money either. I have, however, had crop loss from fields flattened and flooded from storms.
I'm also a fifth generation farmer. When this land was first cleared it was full of arrowheads. I also grow timber. Income from that takes years. I have had it logged once and may not see another harvest in my lifetime.
But once you have the smell of the dirt in memory, the wildlife, birdsong, bees, butterflies and everything else ... (I could go on and on about the value of being in nature,) ...it does something to your mind and heart that's difficult to explain. It's almost a religious experience to be so connected to the land.
Many farmers are proud and independent thinkers who don't like handouts. I believe that's one reason why they're so many suicides.
https://www.agweb.com/news/business/health/startling-reality-rate-suicide-among-farmers-3-5-times-higher-general-population
iemanja
(55,893 posts)As groceries become increasingly expensive. There is no such thing as economic hardship that only affects MAGAs.
republianmushroom
(19,690 posts)And I'm not going to get a bail out from the govt.