Navigating Uncertainty: Trump and the Changing U.S. Policy for Agri-Food Trade

Robert, L. Thompson (2025) Navigating Uncertainty: Trump and the Changing U.S. Policy for Agri-Food Trade. STUDIES IN AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS, 127 (2). pp. 117-127. ISSN 1418-2106

Preview

Text 3230_Thompson.pdf - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial. Download (417kB) | Preview

Abstract

This paper draws implications of Trump’s re-election for the U.S. agri-food sector and in turn international agri-food trade. It begins with a historical perspective on U.S. agri-food trade and its role in world markets. It then turns to a review of Trump policies during his first term as President, 2017-21, and the significant market losses American farmers suffered during his first term. Despite these losses, farmers were an important constituency in re-electing Donald Trump President in 2024. The next section discusses American farmer attitudes and the sources of their continuing support for Trump in the 2024 election. This is followed by a critical review of what Donald Trump fails to recognise (or chooses to ignore) about international economics and the agri-food sector. The paper then reviews Trump’s policy announcements in the first four months back in office and draws inferences for American agriculture and the global agri-food sector in an environment that might best be described as navigating uncertainty.

Actions (login required)

Edit Item