First soya, then stop. But Iowa farmers still back Trump



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But thanks to a trade war and a partial government shutdown, Edwards and his farming neighbors are stranded. Instead of planning, this winter has become a season of worry.

"If it was another time of the year, we would be too busy in the field to worry about it," she says as the snow recovers from her vegetable farm north of l & # 39; Iowa. City. "But as a farmer, closing the government is kind of the worst time of the year."

A Ministry of Agriculture that has closed down has made it much more difficult to apply for loans, control subsidies or analysis of vital harvest and market reports that help farmers develop strategies for their next harvest. The decisions taken today could make the difference between solvency and survival.

"This is the time of year when we have to find new equipment for the year, buy land or build new buildings," Edwards said. "I think we're frustrated right now, but now is the time to look for resilience among our neighbors."

  Dave Walton stated that the problems with the closure stemmed from steel tariffs that raised the price of grain elevators, such as the one seen behind him

In an hour, Dave Walton hangs. Barnyard and shrugs when asked if he's considering investing in his sprawling corn and soybean farm. "It's easy, we do not have money, so we do not invest."

President Donald Trump's trade war against China led to a drop in soybean prices to its lowest level in 10 years, as new steel prices led to increased costs equipment. and devoured the profits of the year.

"As soon as the tariffs were applied on steel, the cost of a new grain box increased by 15 to 25 percent," he says, indicating a huge steel container in steel. "So things are already strained and if you are thinking of buying a hopper, you probably will not do it now."

He refuses however to criticize the policy of a president who tipped Iowa from blue to red. with the help of the farmers.

  The wolf moon on farm buildings near Olin, Iowa.

"I think there is growing discomfort, but I think that in general we will just let things unfold," says he with a stoic determination.

After two years in office, Trump said, "We are going to see where that will take us, and trade with China in particular must be dealt with." Property Rights Damage intellectual were caused – I do not just talk about iPhones and iPad, they steal seed genetics. "

To give a lesson to China, Walton says it's ready to suffer short-term suffering in exchange for a long-term gain. "We can probably keep up to two years from now, we're going into the 2020s and it's going to be very difficult to stay in business."

Trump bets that the patience and patriotism that naturally come into play in agricultural country will keep this part of his base on his side. And to cover this bet, there is $ 12 billion in emergency grants. In the era of public debt, the money is entirely borrowed from China and the second set of checks must be handed over to farmers when the government reopens.
  Brian Wolken, farmer and mayor of Monticello, controls soybeans subsidies on his phone.

"Come on, Trump's grant is $ 1.65 a bushel," says Brian Wolken, looking at his phone in the shadow of a bean basket full of beans. "And everything is done to keep farmers happy because they voted for him."

When he does not grow corn or beans, Wolken is the mayor of Monticello, in Iowa. He supported Bernie Sanders in the last round of presidential elections and is surprised at his own father's devotion to Trump despite his painful policy. "He did not hesitate at all, he's still 100% behind Trump, I think more people will tell you that they're tired of his antics, the way he's acting." [19659021"ButfarmersarethekindofpeoplewhodecidetobeartheloadwithoutcomplainingTheythinkthatifwecangetabettershakefromChinaandmaybeopennewcountriestoexportbeansitwillbebetterforusinthelongrun"

  Monticello's neighbors, in Iowa, including Mel Manternach, second left, Rendez-vous at Darrell's Diner to debate the politics of the day.

But at Darrell & # 39; s Diner, where the disputes between the tables of knowledge in dueling become so ardent that the ancients found a sure word ("rose bushes"), the retired farmer Mel Manternach thin No words.

"He is amazing that farmers in Iowa can still support Trump when it costs them thousands of dollars each week. I can not believe that they are so blind, "he shakes his head and sips his coffee." The most enduring just die harder. "

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