Normal, IL — In case you missed it, this week, The Documentation Project, a group dedicated to documenting Trump-led cuts to programs for McLean County, held an informational meeting at Heartland Community College detailing the impacts of Donald Trump’s second term on Central Illinoisans, including how his tariffs have hurt farmers. They emphasized how Trump’s trade wars with China have specifically hurt soybean farmers, where for six months in 2025, U.S. soybean exports to China were nearly zero. Yet, Trump continues to double down on his failed tariffs, recently saying “My tariffs have brought America back.”
In response to Trump’s continued disregard for Illinois farmers, Democratic Party of Illinois Chair Lisa Hernandez said the following:
“It doesn’t matter how hard he tries to deny it, Trump’s tariffs have hurt our nation, our economy, and our farmers. While he gave Argentina a $20B bailout and played political games with vital trade partners, our farmers were deeply hurting—and still are. His MAGA lackeys in our own state like Mike Bost, Darin LaHood, and Mary Miller have only made it worse by cheering him on.“
Key excerpts from WGLT: Documentation Project event details Trump administration’s negative impact on farmers
By Braden Fogerson
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In his presentation on Tuesday, Doherty also noted Trump’s policies are straining relations with China, the nation’s biggest market for soybeans, which also is hurting farmers. He said China has begun looking to Brazil and Argentina for soybeans in the aftermath of the 2018 trade war during Trump’s first term.
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“Even though those sales came back [when the trade war ended], what happened was there was a lot of growth in that market, and we did not get that growth,” said Doherty, who previously was senior economist at the Illinois Farm Bureau. “Instead, that growth went to Brazil.”
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“The question is, will China continue to buy soybeans for the remainder of this crop here? I would say most market analysts are doubtful about that, partly because our competitors Brazil are already harvesting soybeans,” said Doherty.
