The U.S. trade dispute with China is about negotiating better terms for Wall Street, Big Auto, Big Oil, Big Steel and Big Tech. This dispute is not about negotiating better trade terms for agriculture. Farmers and rural Main Street businesses are suffering needlessly because the current administration has employed an unsophisticated, tariff-driven, and bi-lateral approach against the second strongest economy in the world.

I am a corn/soybean farmer and my Congressman is Jim Hagedorn of Minnesota’s 1st District. On Aug. 16, I attended his town hall event in Albert Lea, just a few miles from my farm. I asked Rep. Hagedorn, “Farmers have borne the brunt of the trade war with China. When the trade war is over, If we only go back to pre-tariff corn and soybean prices, what is your plan to repair rural Minnesota?”

Let me be clear: We need a more sophisticated approach to dealing with China on trade. Tariffs are one tool, but the way our president employs them is akin to using a machete instead of a fine scalpel for surgery. He’s done more damage than good.

This trade war is about economic and technological dominance. China must end unfair subsidies and protect U.S. intellectual property. Farmers have become a hostage in this conflict. Prices of corn and soybeans have dropped sharply since China imposed retaliatory tariffs. While MFP subsidies have reduced losses, family farm balance sheets continue to hemorrhage operating capital at an alarming rate. Farm capital investment has halted due to uncertainty. Equipment dealers and rural businesses that rely on family farm profitability are suffering. Ethanol waivers granted to oil refineries by the administration cause corn prices to drop further, benefiting Big Oil corporations.

Rep. Hagedorn did not offer a plan to repair rural Minnesota. He agreed corn and soybean prices will likely just return  to pre-tariff levels. Surviving farm families and small businesses will be left with weakened financial positions. Wall street services: bankers, brokers and insurance are billion-dollar corporations that will benefit from the trade war — a trade war paid for by rural America. This is a wealth transfer from family farms, land owners and rural businesses to big corporations.

Rep. Hagedorn will hold 15 more Town Hall meetings within Minnesota’s 1st District. (hagedorn.house.gov/townhall is the web site to find information on upcoming town hall meetings.) Rural America has been in an economic struggle since the great farm crisis of the 1980s. Please attend the next meeting in your county and let your voice be heard. Stand up for rural America!

Theron “Terry” Gjersvik

Manchester