Trump's Trade War Hypocrisy: $20 Billion Aid Package for Soy Farmers Despite Zero Chinese Purchases

Trump's Betrayal of American Soy Farmers: A 90-Second Crash Course In a stunning display of hypocrisy, President Donald Trump is set to announce a massive aid package for soy farmers hurt by his trade war with China, even as Beijing has purchased zero dollars worth of US soybeans this season and has no future orders planned. The move comes as Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin announced last week that Trump would provide $20 billion in economic aid to Argentina, a main US competitor in the soybean market. According to sources, the aid package for American farmers is expected to be in the billions of dollars. However, some farmers are questioning the effectiveness of such payments, saying they don't want handouts but rather fair trade practices that allow them to compete with foreign producers. "We don't want any payments," said a soy farmer from Iowa, who wished to remain anonymous. "We want to be able to sell our products at a fair price, without the government intervening in the market." The situation is particularly egregious given China's significant role as the world's largest soybean importer. In 2019, Beijing purchased approximately $12.6 billion worth of US soybeans, accounting for about half of the country's total crop. However, this season has seen a drastic decline in Chinese purchases, with zero dollars spent on US soybeans so far and no future orders planned. The reasons behind this shift are complex, but experts point to Trump's trade war as a major contributing factor. "The administration's policies have created uncertainty and volatility in the market," said Dr. Jayson Lusk, an agricultural economist at Purdue University. "This has made it difficult for US farmers to compete with foreign producers who have more favorable trade agreements." The aid package for Argentina is also raising eyebrows among some lawmakers and experts. By providing $20 billion in economic aid to a main competitor in the soybean market, Trump's administration is essentially giving China an even better deal on soybeans. "This move is a betrayal of American farmers," said Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), ranking member of the Senate Agriculture Committee. "We need to focus on supporting our own farmers and ensuring they have access to fair trade practices." The implications of Trump's actions are far-reaching, with some experts warning that they could lead to a decline in US agricultural production and a loss of market share for American farmers. As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear: Trump's betrayal of American soy farmers is a stark reminder of the need for fair trade practices and support for domestic agriculture. *Reporting by Motherjones.*