Trump Aid Means Farms Are Doing Better Than Before Trade War
- Without trade aid, ‘almost no one would have made money’
- U.S. farm income in 2019 rises to the highest in six years
Photographer: Daniel Acker/Bloomberg
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Donald Trump is boasting that he’s made farmers “really happy.” He’s not wrong, but it’s not just the trade deal that’s left farmers optimistic for 2020.
Analysts are saying the accord signed this week mostly just takes trade back to normal for American agriculture. China has committed to $32 billion in additional purchases over two years, but that buying will be market dependent and retaliatory tariffs are still in place. Even the status quo is still a welcome relief after more than a year of escalating tensions.