Farmers need fair trade

by J. Patrick Reilly

When Donald Trump announced sweeping tariffs during his presidency, the stated goal was simple: protect American industry and punish unfair trade practices. But here in Wisconsin, especially across our rural communities, the impact has been anything but protective. For many farmers, those tariffs have translated into uncertainty, shrinking markets, and real financial strain.

Wisconsin agriculture depends heavily on exports. Dairy, soybeans, corn, and pork doesn’t just feed local communities — they supply global markets. When tariffs were imposed on countries such as China, those nations responded with retaliatory tariffs on American farm products. Farmers quickly became collateral damage in a global trade dispute.

China had been one of the largest buyers of American soybeans. Once retaliatory tariffs took effect, purchases dropped sharply, and Wisconsin soybean growers were forced to find alternative markets, often at lower prices. Dairy producers — already facing years of tight margins — saw international sales suffer as trade relationships grew strained. In a state known as “America’s Dairyland,” that pain hits close to home.

Supporters of the tariffs argued that federal aid payments would make up the difference. And while emergency payments did provide temporary relief, they were never a long-term solution. Farmers want markets, not subsidies. Government checks can’t replace stable trade partnerships built over decades. Nor can they fully offset lost contracts, weakened relationships, and unpredictable commodity prices.

The ripple effects extend beyond the farm gate. Equipment dealers, feed mills, trucking companies, and rural Main Street businesses all feel the squeeze when farm income drops. Wisconsin’s agricultural economy is interconnected; when one link weakens, the entire chain feels it.

Trade policy is complicated. Protecting American interests matters. Addressing unfair trade practices matters. But policy decisions must consider consequences. In Wisconsin, tariffs sparked retaliation that directly targeted the very communities leaders claim to defend.

Farmers operate on thin margins and long timelines. They plan years ahead, invest heavily in land and equipment, and depend on consistent access to markets. Trade wars inject volatility into a system that already carries significant risk from weather, input costs, and global competition.

Wisconsin’s farmers don’t ask for special treatment. They ask for fair trade, open markets, and policies that strengthen — not undermine — their ability to compete. Any future trade strategy must learn from the past: when agriculture becomes a bargaining chip, rural America pays the price.