The aggressive commercial policies of President Donald Trump have created uncertainty and opportunities throughout the heart of the United States as farmers and owners of small businesses deal with the effects of the tariff decisions of their administration in their first 100 days.
According to a recent ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos survey53% of Americans believe that the economy has deteriorated since Trump assumed the position, with 72% expressing concern that their economic policies could trigger a recession.
The impact of these policies develops dramatically in two very different sectors of the US economy: agriculture and fishing.
In Racine, Wisconsin, where agricultural roots are deeper than civil war, soy farmers are observing the commercial war with a growing anxiety. Kevin Malchine, whose family has worked the same land for six generations, described the current situation as “unstable.”
Kevin Malchine is worried about Trump’s new rates.
ABC News
“We deal with floods and droughts and too much heat, too cold, insects, weeds, all those things,” says Malchine. “It seems that tariffs are a bit more difficult to treat because it is completely out of our control.”
Bets are particularly high for soy farmers. Last year, Malchine says that China bought 42% of the United States soy production, which represents almost $ 13 billion in sales to US farmers. With Trump implementing a 145% rate on Chinese products and the 125% retaliation rate of China on US goods, including soybeans, farmers such as Malchine face an uncertain future.
“These markets have been created for decades, multiple administrations, and here it is trying to fix it in 100 days or 200 days,” Malchine explains. “This will have a great impact.”
Heartland farmers worried about tariffs.
ABC News
The solution is not as simple as changing cultivation, according to Malchine. “I know that some people think, well, just raise a different harvest,” says Malchine. “That is a great change in turn when you talk about the production of AG of the west medium, corn, soybeans and what we do. That would take years and years to change what we would do.”
While farmers prepare for the impact, some small companies have found opportunities in the agitation of the commercial war. In Charleston, South Carolina, shrimp like Rocky Magwood told ABC that they see potential benefits of tariffs.
“The tariffs, it is great that they are there for now. To raise awareness,” Magwood said, who has been in shrimp ships since he had six weeks with his father.
In an industry where 94% of shrimp consumed in the United States is imported, local shrimp have fought to compete with lower price imports.
The impact has been devastating in the local industry, according to Magwood, who said that when he began: “There were 100 ships in Shim Creek. Now there are six of us. However, recent developments have brought hope.” South Carolina Camons, captured in nature, we don’t even have any in the freezer, we run out, “he said.
As the Trump administration navigates a 90 -day break in tariffs for most countries, except in China, the consequences of these policies continue to undulating through the economy. The main retailers, including Walmart, Target and Home Depot, have warned the White House that tariffs continued could lead to empty stores.
Back in Wisconsin, Malchine is still cautiously realistic about the future.
“The impact is coming, and will have a real impact as time passes,” he says. “If you really want to know what the impact is, come and visit me within six months or next year.”
Despite uncertainty, he maintains the resilience characteristic of American farmers: “There have been times when we face great adversity. It gives you faith and confidence that you can resist this storm. And I hope it is earlier than later that we get a resolution.”
