Key takeaways
• American farmers face collapse as tariffs cut off key markets
• Arkansas farmer Scott Brown warns rural towns depend on agriculture
• Farmers need buyers, not bailouts, to keep farms and communities alive
• Tariff war has slashed soybean prices and left producers with huge debt
Farmers Plea to Trump: Can US Agriculture Survive Tariffs?
American farmers warn that tariffs on crops threaten to destroy rural America. Arkansas grower Scott Brown spoke to CNN and issued a clear message: he hopes President Trump is listening. Brown farms 800 acres with low debt, but he fears bigger producers could lose everything. As harvest begins, wheat, corn, and soybeans sit in fields with no buyers in sight.
Why Farmers Feel Trapped by Tariffs
Brown says the ongoing tariff war has torn markets in half. China, once the top buyer of U.S. soybeans, has made zero orders this year. Instead, it buys from Argentina, Paraguay, and Bolivia. Those countries expand acres and plan ahead for 2025 and 2026 crops. Meanwhile, U.S. soybean prices have plunged below the cost of production. Farmers cannot keep working at a loss.
The Real Cost for Farmers
Most farmers rely on loans to plant and harvest. They put up land, homes, equipment, and trucks as collateral. If prices fall and yields shrink, they can’t pay back loans. Banks then auction off farms to recover debts. Brown explains that many growers carry rollover debt of four to seven hundred thousand dollars. With tariffs added on, they face a financial trap.
Farmers Face Auction Risk
One wrong move can cost a farm. If a farmer misses a payment, the bank steps in. Auctioneers line up tractors, combines, and even barns for sale. Small towns lose jobs when their largest employer vanishes. Brown points out that one dollar in agriculture generates eight dollars in the local economy. Schools, roads, co-ops, even chicken plants depend on farm income.
Farmers Demand Markets Not Aid
Reports say the White House may offer a bailout for farmers. But Brown wants real trade deals, not handouts. He argues that aid only patches holes. A solid market gives farmers long-term hope. “I can work hard and make a product. If you give me someplace to sell it, I’ll take care of myself,” Brown told CNN. Without stable buyers, aid acts as a temporary bandage.
Looking Ahead for Farmers
Uncertainty makes it hard to plan for the next season. Farming already feels like Russian roulette, Brown says. You plant, pray for good weather, and hope yields cover costs. Now add a tariff war with China and others. U.S. farmers once supplied 40 percent of global humanitarian food aid. That deal ended. Meanwhile, China ramps up its own program. U.S. producers lose both markets and government contracts.
Rural America Hangs in the Balance
Agriculture is the backbone of small towns. Brown’s community of 7,000 relies on farming taxes to fund schools and hospitals. The co-op employs dozens. A local chicken processing plant supports hundreds of workers. Without crops to sell, grocery stores close and families move away. It doesn’t matter if you live in Nebraska or Arkansas—agriculture drives the rural economy.
What Can Be Done?
Farmers ask for new trade agreements that reopen foreign markets. They also seek transparency on tariff negotiations. Local leaders push for state programs to support crop prices until deals settle. Some suggest diversifying into organic produce or specialty grains. Yet most say only stable export buyers can solve the crisis.
A Farmer’s Final Call
Scott Brown hopes his plea reaches the Oval Office. He speaks not only for his 800 acres, but for thousands of farms nationwide. “Agriculture is the backbone of rural America,” he said. “I hope he’s listening.” If tariffs continue to choke off markets, farmers and their towns risk collapse. It’s a clear warning: no market, no farm—and with it, no rural way of life.
Frequently Asked Questions
What markets can farmers turn to if China stops buying?
Farmers hope to find buyers in Europe, Africa, and Southeast Asia. They also aim to boost domestic food programs. However, rebuilding new trade ties takes time and strong agreements.
How would a bailout help farmers?
A bailout can offer short-term cash to cover losses. It may prevent immediate loan defaults. But it does not restore long-term markets or fix the core issue of lost buyers.
What steps can rural communities take to support farmers?
Communities can invest in processing facilities and local co-ops. They can lobby for state price-support programs. They may also explore value-added products to diversify income streams.
Why are soybean prices falling so fast?
Prices drop when demand falls. China’s halt in U.S. soybean orders left a massive surplus. Global competition from South American crops further drives down prices. Without new buyers, prices stay low.