A soybean farmer in Illinois who backed President Trump is worried about the ongoing trade war with China. The largest consumer of soybeans, China has made no purchases from American farmers this year, despite a $12 billion annual purchase in 2014. Scott Gaffner, who owns 600 acres of land, fears that his crop will go unsold and he’ll lose money due to the boycott.
Gaffner, who voted for Trump, believes one-time relief is not enough and wants the trade to resume. The White House is considering a $10 billion financial aid package for farmers, but Gaffner thinks it’s just a temporary solution that won’t help his business in the long run. He notes that if China finds alternative suppliers, it will be harder for the US to regain its market share.
Gaffner’s family has farmed the land for four generations, and he’s concerned about the impact on their livelihood. The farmer believes that a strong agricultural industry is crucial to the local economy and affects everyone in the area. With high costs for tractors, seeds, and fertilizers, Gaffner is struggling to keep his business afloat during this uncertain time.
The Trump administration is trying to support farmers like Gaffner with financial aid, but it’s unclear if it will be enough to mitigate the damage caused by the Chinese boycott.
Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/soybean-farmers-china-trump-trade-war