Critics of President Trump’s trade policy argue that it’s either damaging or a complete embarrassment for free trade. However, the truth is that there’s no such thing as free trade without fair trade. To reverse three decades of unfair trading practices, some level of disruption is inevitable. Years of ineffective trade policies have created an unlevel playing field for American manufacturers and producers—especially for farmers and ranchers in West Texas. This situation endangers both our economic and national security. Fortunately, we have a president who acknowledges this serious threat and demonstrates the political will to tackle it head-on.
Prior to Trump’s announcement of mutual tariffs, the 20 largest economies in the world maintained average tariff rates that were twice that of the U.S. These countries are not in need of tariff protection to cultivate new industries. Major economies like the European Union, Brazil, and China have average agricultural tariffs that are three times higher than those in the U.S. Additionally, there are numerous non-tariff barriers that complicate exports, such as strict regulations, import quotas, and preferences for state-owned enterprises. Consequently, America’s agricultural trade deficit reached over $32 billion in 2024, marking a historical high.
This inequitable treatment has led to artificially low demand for U.S. goods, unearned income for manufacturers, and suppressed wages for workers. How are our farmers and ranchers supposed to compete when India imposes a 50% tariff on sorghum, or Vietnam slaps a 30% tariff on beef? Then there are the regulations that hinder cotton exports to the European Union and Mexico. It’s baffling to consider how we could maintain an industrial base when we continue to reward China’s poor practices in trade relations. Normalizing trade with them in 2000—while importing cheaper goods—seems to have cost us five million manufacturing jobs; that’s a staggering number.
We are far past due for leaders who will leverage the U.S. market to ensure mutual trade, holding global partners to basic principles of equity.
Apart from economic issues, President Trump’s decisive actions address national security concerns, reducing our dependence on foreign rivals. Research indicates that China currently excels in 37 out of 44 key advanced technologies. The shortages experienced during COVID—especially concerning personal protective equipment and medicines—highlighted our unpreparedness for potential major conflicts. Relying on rivals like China for essential resources poses severe risks.
Trump is candid about the possibility of short-term challenges as he rectifies these imbalances to achieve fair trade. If history serves as a guide, we might soon find ourselves with better agreements, a wider array of consumer choices, and a more robust economy. The trade agreements negotiated during Trump’s first term resulted in a 26% increase in U.S. exports overall, with agricultural exports rising as well. This contributed positively to the economy, lowering unemployment to historic lows while household incomes increased, and inflation remained virtually nonexistent.
The signs of positive change are becoming evident. Since Trump’s mutual tariff announcement, about 70 countries have approached the U.S. to negotiate lower trade barriers, including nations traditionally viewed as adversaries in trade. In fact, Trump has already secured over $5 trillion in new investments within his first 100 days, which promises to create hundreds of thousands of jobs.
We stand on the brink of a remarkable chance to rectify the long-standing imbalances in global trade. This situation has penalized producers and manufacturers for years, resulting in a dangerous dependence on competitors for essentials like computer chips, food, and other critical supplies. We must respond to this moment with the urgency it demands. It’s time to rally behind President Trump and advocate for a fair trade world, as this opportunity to steer the course may not come again. The ideal moment for this was likely 30 years ago, but it is still today!
