Fertiliser, food stamps and fed-up farmers

愤怒的美国农民

Checks and Balance from The Economist

2026-05-01

42 分钟

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Farmers are among Donald Trump's most loyal supporters. But they have been getting a raw deal from the man they helped re-elect in 2024. First came the trade war that eroded access to key export markets. Then came the Iran war, and rising fuel and fertiliser costs. Meanwhile, Congressional wranglings over food stamps are delaying the new Farm Bill. So what, if anything, would cause rural voters to abandon President Trump? Guests and hosts: Charlotte Howard, New York bureau chief and executive editorRebecca Jackson, Southern correspondentAlice Fulwood, Wall Street correspondent; co-host Money TalksNick Levendofsky, executive director of the Kansas Farmers Union Topics covered: Farm Bill / SNAPAgricultural trade and tariffsIran War & fuel / fertiliser costsRural politics Transcripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcasts Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+  

The Economist.
Farmers always have something to contend with.
Too little rain, too much rain, prices too low, inputs too high.
And now wars.
Trade wars and the war in the Middle East.
American farmers have had a tough year, with some age-old problems
and lots of new ones, brought on by President Trump.
Yet rural voters have been some of his most loyal supporters.
He won more of the rural vote in 2024 than he did in 2020.
How are these voters faring in his second term?
I'm Charlotte Howard, and this is Checks and Balance from The Economist.
Each week we take one big theme shaping American politics and explore it in depth.
Today, the rural economy.
Rising fuel costs, rising fertilizer prices, uncertainty over tariffs, and waiting on bailouts.
How hard is it to be a farmer in America right now?
And what, if anything, would cause rural voters to abandon President Trump?
This week, I'm joined by Becca Jackson, our colleague who's usually based in Atlanta
but is right now here with me in New York.
Hi, Becca.
Hey, nice to be here, Charlotte.

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Fertiliser, food stamps and fed-up farmers

愤怒的美国农民

Checks and Balance from The Economist

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