Caleb Ragland, a soybean farmer from Magnolia, Kentucky, has been voting for President Donald Trump since he first took office. But as his business faces increasingly difficult challenges due to new tariffs, his support is wavering. Ragland, president of the American Soybean Association, describes the situation he faces as precarious. With soybean futures plummeting—down more than 40% over the last three years—he’s worried about the future of not just his farm, but the industry as a whole.
Ragland, who farms alongside his wife and three sons, is part of a family lineage deeply rooted in agriculture, with more than two centuries of farming on the same land. Yet recent years have seen double-digit declines in crop prices, and production costs continue to rise—a scenario reminiscent of past agricultural struggles. During Trump’s first term, the trade war with China inflicted devastating losses on U.S. agriculture, claiming over $27 billion, with soybeans alone contributing nearly 71% of those losses.
“Tariffs break trust,” Ragland pointed out, emphasizing how difficult it is to bring new customers on board compared to maintaining existing relationships. On the heels of renewed trade conflict, he expressed grave concerns about the tariff policies instigated by the Trump administration.
Just last week, the White House imposed fresh levies—a 25% tariff on goods from Canada and Mexico along with additional 10% duties on Chinese imports. Amidst all this, Trump hinted at potentially increasing tariffs even more, sending alarm bells ringing through the agricultural community. The latest tariffs have added 10% to the cost of U.S. soybeans and 15% on corn imported by China, aggravation to already tight margins.
“We’re already at the point where we’re unprofitable,” Ragland lamented. “Why on earth are we trying to add insult to injury for the ag sector by basically adding a tax?” These frustrations are not isolated. Ragland noted widespread dissatisfaction among fellow farmers who also call for relief through reductions to trade barriers and urgent updates to the comprehensive farm bill, pivotal legislation for U.S. agriculture.
Compounding the issue, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins indicated last week the Trump administration was mulling potential exemptions for certain agricultural goods from the tariffs, albeit too late for many farmers feeling the strain now. The preponderance of American farmers’ potash, used for fertilizer, is sourced from Canada, which highlights the interconnectedness of U.S.-Canada trade relations now more than ever.
The ag economy presents its volatility, recently reflected through various surveys. A February 2025 Purdue University poll indicated 44% of respondents believe trade policy will have the most significant impact on their farms over the next five years. One alarming statistic posited almost half of farmers speculated on the likelihood of significant downturns due to trade wars. They voiced imminent concerns just as net returns from soybeans and corn were observed to plummet by 33% between mid-February and early March.
A different segment of the economic ecosystem, Canadian Premier Doug Ford, has emerged as one of the most vocal opponents to Trump’s tariffs. Since Trump began his second term, Ford—premier of Ontario—has become well-known on U.S. cable news channels, standing firm to defend Canadian interests and proclaiming, “Canada is not for sale!” Ford, who recently won his third consecutive term, is leveraging ad campaigns aimed at American consumers, urging them to maintain the trade relationship with Ontario—as their trusted ally across the Northern border.
Ford’s campaign has included some theatrical elements, such as promoting his trademark “Canada Is Not For Sale” baseball cap. He’s publicly addressed the necessity for negotiation, urging both countries to act swiftly to prevent unnecessary escalations, stating, “Let’s stop the bleeding on both sides of the border, as China is sitting there laughing at both countries.”
These remarks come after his own province’s economy became significantly intertwined with the U.S. Ford reportedly ordered U.S. alcohol off provincial liquor store shelves and encouraged consumers to “Buy Canadian” as a direct push back against American tariffs.
With the looming threat of tariffs over Ontario’s electricity exports to several U.S. states, Ford had initially planned to impose higher surcharges of 25%. This decision has since been temporarily suspended, but only as part of negotiations, hinting at the aggressive posture he’s willing to take if the situation worsens.
“If Trump continues with the aluminum and steel tariffs, Canada’s government will respond dollar for dollar, tariff for tariff,” Ford stated earlier this week. It is clear his approach involves taking the fight directly to the Trump administration, portraying the need for rational dialogue. Acknowledging the agricultural community’s struggles, Ford’s presence on the media front provides backup for farmers who are desperately trying to push for survival through turbulent trade policies.
For farmers like Ragland, the stakes are personal. “You’re talking about people’s livelihoods,” he said, serving as both president of the American Soybean Association and as the embodiment of all U.S. farmers facing this dual-front trade war. Tensions between farmers and governmental policies reflect broader economic pressures. With both Ford and Ragland as leading figures rallying for their respective causes, it seems clearer than ever: The fallout from these tariffs may shape agricultural landscapes for generations to come.