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Opinion

Trump's Policies: A Threat to Farmers and American Values
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Photo by Jed Owen on Unsplash
Joe Kaul
By Joe KaulOct 12, 2025
Joe Kaul
Joe Kaul is a contributor for The Fulcrum, a nonpartisan publication dedicated to strengthening democracy by fostering informed civic engagement and elevating diverse perspectives.
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In the column, "Is Donald Trump Right?", Fulcrum Executive Editor, Hugo Balta, wrote:

For millions of Americans, President Trump’s second term isn’t a threat to democracy—it’s the fulfillment of a promise they believe was long overdue.

Is Donald Trump right?

Should the presidency serve as a force for disruption or a safeguard of preservation?

Balta invited readers to share their thoughts at newsroom@fulcrum.us.

Joe Kaul from Colorado shared these thoughts...

My Father and his 5 brothers fought in World War II.

He came home with 4 brothers and one eye out of commission.

All you have to do to answer your question is to answer this question through the lens of the Greatest Generation.

Take one example: the disgusting attempted overthrow of our government on Jan 6, 2021. The men and women who defended our country and the world against fascism overseas would tell you in no uncertain terms that this was the most un-American thing ever done by a sitting President. Full Stop.

So my point here is that if you were not mortified by this group of thugs attacking our US Capitol, then I suppose you can tolerate just about anything that Trump does to "Get his way" with US policies.

Well, I got news for you: once you accept that type of treasonous behavior, you have just said to the Greatest Generation, "You and your sacrifices don't matter to me and my MAGA friends." Maybe in this twisted, self-serving light, Trump is right.

Trump's trade war with China is on the verge of costing American Farmers their livelihoods and seriously endangering our nation's food supply.

U.S. farmers produce 40% more AG products than we can consume in the US, so overseas markets are crucial.

Last year (2025), China bought $12 billion in soybeans alone from US farmers.

Since Trump decided to punch them in the nose, China has bought $0.00 of AG soybeans from US farmers.

This same scenario played out in the first Trump administration, so he had to give them a $10 billion aid package to bail them out.

While he may try this approach again, it is not even close to a long-term solution.

You see, there is something called "Trust" in a supply chain. When a large market like China loses trust in the US AG market, they have no choice but to turn to alternative markets like Brazil and Argentina for their Ag products. When trust erodes and new supply chains are formed with new partners, it takes years, if not decades, to rebuild those relationships.
By then, sadly, many of our US farmers —the backbone of rural America —will likely have no choice but to "sell the farm."

So maybe we should start asking US Farmers if Trump is right, since he has screwed up these important supply chains both times in office.

We invite you to read "Is Donald Trump Right?" and accept Hugo's invitation to share your thoughts at newsroom@fulcrum.us.

The Fulcrum will select a range of submissions to share with readers as part of our ongoing civic dialogue.

We offer this platform for discussion and debate.


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