GOP senator from deep-red state admits farmers are 'very upset' by Trump’s policies
Jake Guse, a crop scout on the Pro Farmer Crop Tour, collects corn samples from a corn field as scouts travel across the midwest trying to gauge the size of the corn and soybean crop that farmers will harvest in the fall, in northwest Indiana, U.S. August 19, 2025. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) called for urgent action Thursday to resolve the trade impasse between the United States and China, warning that American farmers are “VERY upset” as they’re being pushed out of vital export markets while other countries reap the benefits.
Grassley posted a sharp critique on the social platform X after China purchased a significant quantity of soybeans from Argentina, bypassing the United States.
“Farmers VERY upset abt Argentina selling soybeans to China right after USA bail out. Still ZERO USA soybeans sold to China,” Grassley wrote.
“Meanwhile China is still hitting USA w 20% retaliatory tariff. NEED CHINA TRADE DEAL NOW. Farmers need markets 2boost farm economy.”
Grassley did not mention President Donald Trump directly, but the trade policies at the center of the criticism — particularly the Chinese tariffs on U.S. soybeans — originate from Trump’s first term in office. Now in his second term, Trump is facing renewed pressure from lawmakers, farm groups and rural voters to undo the damage caused by the protracted trade war and deliver new market access.
The frustration among farmers has intensified after reports confirmed that China purchased at least 20 shipments of Argentine soybeans this month. Argentina recently suspended export taxes, making its soybeans more competitive on the global market just as the U.S. harvest season gets underway. Meanwhile, U.S. soybean exports to China remain stalled, with no major purchases recorded in the current crop year.
The Iowa Republican’s remarks led to strong reactions on social media, with many asking him to name Trump.
The X account @RepublicansAgainstTrump reacted to his post and wrote: “Upset at who, exactly? Name the man who destroyed farmers with reckless trade wars. Don’t be a coward.”
Political commentator Chuck Todd wrote: “Trump policies have really opened up a huge potential political vulnerability in the ag states especially IA, KS and NE.”
Democratic strategist Kendall Witmer wrote: “Wonder whose fault this is. Any clue, Chuck?”
