US farmers, battered by tariff war, seek relief in Trump-Xi talks 

▪ Trump’s economic goals in China

▪ Republican flips on war powers vote

▪ Warsh confirmed as Fed chair

▪ New trial for Alex Murdaugh

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When President Trump comes face to face with Chinese President Xi Jinping to talk trade deals this week, few groups have more on the line than America’s farmers.

Trump has a wide range of goals for his trip to Beijing, spanning domestic and foreign policy and impacting multiple industries, including manufacturing and technology. But when it comes to immediate impact on the domestic economy and his own political prospects, securing relief for farmers battered by his tariff policies is at the top of the list.

Polls increasingly show more Americans displeased with Trump’s handling of the economy as his overall approval rating has continued to drop, falling below 40 percent in the Decision Desk HQ polling average.

That has been correlated with the Iran war and rising gas prices from the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. But even before that, Trump was underwater on tariffs and trade.

“I wouldn’t say that the whole world is going to be perfect out of a good outcome, but I think there can be some definitely incremental wins out of this,” said Republican strategist Josh Novotney. “And obviously, the president is always looking for wins, whether it’s midterm elections coming up or not.”

In the lead-up to Trump’s trip, multiple Republican senators urged him to focus on obtaining wins for the agriculture industry.

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) said in a post on the social platform X that he spoke to U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer before the trip and emphasized the importance of discussing soybeans and trade in the talks with Xi.

Grassley said he hopes for a “very productive” week for the country’s farmers.

Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) touted his recent trip to Beijing with a bipartisan group of senators to discuss U.S.-China trade relations and expanding access to markets for his state’s farmers.

Their calls come after more than a year of a tit-for-tat trade war between the U.S. and many countries around the world that has hit farmers particularly hard. Already dealing with high prices, farmers’ costs spiked after Trump unveiled his “Liberation Day” tariffs, triggering retaliatory moves by some countries.

Although many of Trump’s tariffs have been struck down in court, the impacts remain.

The U.S. and China have had a one-year truce on trade in place since last October. As part of the agreement, both countries agreed to a reduction in tariffs, China would purchase U.S. soybeans and Chinese export controls on rare earth minerals would be suspended.

A further extension of that truce would be welcome news for farmers.

The Economist reported that rural America has largely not blamed Trump for economic conditions even as his tariffs have hurt farmers in his second term. Farmers told the outlet that they still trust the administration, though they need help with making up losses.

Still, some heartland states could be in play for crucial House and Senate races in November — such as Iowa, Nebraska and Ohio — and economic wins would be welcome news for Republican frontliners.

Further opening up China to U.S. producers could help provide that relief. But Novotney said that may be a “double-edged sword,” as more U.S. supplies going to foreign markets could be harmful for inflation at home. He said the responsibility will lie with Greer to work it out to ensure the U.S. gets a “win-win.”

Another development impacting farmers has been the Iran war, as the blockade around the Strait of Hormuz has upended global markets.

About a third of the world’s fertilizer supply passes through the strait, and prices have soared as much as fuel since the waterway was closed off.

Novotney said Trump getting China to ramp up pressure on Iran to reopen the strait should be a priority.

“It’s twofold. It’s dealing with trade for direct inflationary outcomes, and then also dealing with foreign policy with Iran that’ll help with gas prices,” he said.

▪ The New York Times: How China sent Trump a message on his arrival.

▪ The Washington Post: China gains on U.S. amid Iran war, report finds.

TAIWAN WARNING: Xi warned Trump as they........

© The Hill