‘They’re clearly scrambling’: Donald Trump ‘basically admitting’ to major policy blunder
During a recent visit from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, U.S. President Donald Trump faced renewed criticism over what many see as a major mistake in his trade policies. Journalists Greg Sargent and Alex Shephard from The New Republic discussed the issue in a podcast, arguing that Trump had “basically admitted” to a serious failure in his trade war strategy, one that has angered many American farmers.
Trump’s trade war has led to retaliation from several countries. India, for example, was hit with a 50% tariff on its goods and responded by canceling plans to buy U.S.-made weapons. But it’s China’s reaction that has caused the most damage. In response to Trump’s tariffs, China announced a total boycott of U.S. soybeans—a move that has devastated American farmers and reportedly caused panic in the White House.
Alex Shephard noted that it was shocking no one in Trump’s administration anticipated this outcome. “Now they’re scrambling,” he said. “Trump is trying to gather some of the money from the tariffs to help farmers, but it’s clear this trade war is hurting a lot of people—especially his own supporters.”
Soybeans are one of America’s most valuable agricultural exports, accounting for about 14% of all farm exports. China had been the biggest buyer, purchasing more than $12.5 billion worth in 2024—half of all U.S. soybean exports that year. But since May, China has stopped buying completely, leaving farmers stuck with over 100 million unsold bushels and massive financial losses.
Trump promised to use tariff revenues to support struggling farmers, but Greg Sargent pointed out that this plan only highlights the failure of his trade policy. “This is a disaster for farmers,” he said. “China bought over $12 billion worth of soybeans last year, and this year it’s nothing.
When Trump says he’ll help farmers with tariff money, that money actually comes from American importers and consumers many of whom are his own voters. He’s basically taking money from one group of Americans to cover up the harm his own policies have caused to another.”
In short, critics argue that Trump’s trade war has backfired hurting the very people who supported him, while offering little to fix the deeper problems his policies created.
