Farmers move to defy Trump on NAFTA

[riversedge]

Farmers move to defy Trump on NAFTA


https://www.politico.com/story/2017/11/09/trump-nafta-farmers-defy-244769


After trusting that the president would have their backs, many agricultural advocates now feel a sense of betrayal.

By ADAM BEHSUDI

11/09/2017 10:24 PM EST
Blake Hurst, a corn and soybean farmer and president of the Missouri Farm Bureau, walks to the tractor shed on his farm in Westboro, Mo., in April. Hurst says NAFTA has been good for his business.



After spending nine months indulging President Donald Trump’s desire to renegotiate NAFTA, agricultural groups representing farmers in Trump-supporting states across the heartland are now moving aggressively to save an agreement they consider crucial to their industry.

The once-powerful agricultural lobby was somewhat muted in its warnings about losing a significant portion of the $17.9 billion worth of agricultural products exported last year to Mexico, the U.S.’ third-largest trading partner, believing that the Trump administration would reach a settlement on other aspects of NAFTA while leaving agricultural trade alone.

Now, with Trump threatening to issue a formal intent to withdraw from the deal, farming groups say it’s clearer than ever that their pleas to save the pact are barely registering with a president intent on its destruction.

“I’ve come to believe this administration is determined to end NAFTA,” said Gordon Stoner, a fourth-generation Montana wheat farmer who leads the National Association of Wheat Growers.

The fearful tone now coming from many of the nation’s farm groups has only amplified as America’s agriculture sector confronts the loss of its main profit driver — foreign exports. Many are now mobilizing behind the scenes to stave off what most believe would be a disaster for American farmers. .................................

[dpibel]

1. He said he would. They voted for him.

Why are they surprised and sad?