But I also warned the administration that there are limits to the burden agriculture would be willing to (or should be asked to) bear, and have since repeatedly urged President Trump to bring our trade conflicts with China to a rapid and successful conclusion. The longer this trade war drags on, the more likely our lost market access will become permanent, and no mitigation plan, however helpful, will ever be sufficient to recoup current or future losses. Our industry is now in the midst of its second major growing season under President Trump’s provocative China trade policy, and we are expectantly bracing for continued market disruptions. As the trade war intensifies—seemingly with new wrinkles added daily—and appears to have no end in sight, the initial grace period many farmers have given the administration may be reaching its statute of limitations. inequitable trade balances. Nor are we merely at odds over conflicting economic systems or political ideologies. Instead, as one high-ranking Chinese official recently put it, we are being faced with a “clash of civilizations.” But before rural America jumps off the Trump bandwagon, I offer the following analysis: We are not simply dealing with a conflict over inequitable trade balances. Nor are we merely at odds over conflicting economic systems or political ideologies. Instead, as one high-ranking Chinese official recently put it, we are being faced with a “clash of civilizations.” China has been transparent in its aspirations—to catch up with and eventually surpass the U.S., first in technological advancement, then in global superiority. As a We are not simply dealing with a conflict over
capitalist society, Americans generally welcome the competition. However, we all understand that China does not play by the rules. They are bad actors who, if left to their own devices, will seek to achieve their goals by any means necessary. We have a choice to either act now or stand idly by while China accumulates these means on the backs of American companies and consumers. Make no mistake, we are locked in a battle of cultures. One must eventually acquiesce to the other. Presume, for a minute, that the U.S. adapted its culture to match that of China. Would the Chinese government or their
companies be content to negotiate and do business with a partner like themselves? I posit the answer would be “no,” which leads to the logical conclusion that China must therefore begin behaving more like the U.S. The outcome of this clash of civilizations may very well determine American prosperity— and shape the global landscape—for decades, if not centuries, to come. We must be willing to endure, as an economy and as an industry, a bit more hardship to ensure that future generations of Americans get to compete on a level playing field. But we have our limits.
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JULY | AUGUST 2019
Western Grower & Shipper | www.wga.com
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