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Good afternoon,
The egg crisis continues to rage on in America and our new Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins is offering some not-so-helpful advice: people should raise their own chickens in their backyard. According to Politico, Rollins also promised to support farmers in the face of tariffs and said she would "release funds under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP), acknowledging farmers' worries about the major federal spending freeze." Time will tell whether Rollins can truly stop the bad blood forming between farmers and the Trump administration due to the economic storm Trump is creating, or if she's merely applying Band-Aids to bullet holes.
Here are a few important updates...
TARIFFS AND TENSIONS AND A BREWING TRADE WAR (OH MY)
Tariffs and tensions and a brewing trade war (oh my)! Yesterday, President Donald Trump declared that his 25% tariffs on Mexican and Canadian imports would start on Tuesday and that there would be no opportunity for either country to strike a last-minute deal to avert them. President Trump is also imposing an additional 10% tariff on Chinese goods. To make matters even worse, Trump revealed a plan to make the lives of American farmers harder. As reported by The New Republic, Trump's message via Truth Social reads as follows:
This policy will be damaging to farmers (many of whom are still recovering from the devastating tariffs of Trump's first term) and will directly impact the amount of money they will make from their products. In fiscal year 2023, U.S. farmers earned nearly $180 billion in annual revenue from the agricultural exports they produced including soybeans, grains, fruits, vegetables, and more. Trump's actions will not only have a long-term, negative impact at home, but it will also put unnecessary strain on our trade relations with long-standing allies. Trump took the insults to our northern neighbor even further today with additional threats of more tariffs:
Trump's ongoing fixation on demeaning the Prime Minister of Canada and slashing the integrated economy of North America will not lead to a good outcome for anyone.
RURAL AMERICA CAN KISS THE SOCIAL SAFETY NET GOODBYE
Just last week, House Republicans passed a massive budget proposal, directing key committees to oversee large spending cuts for health care and agriculture. Several critical social safety net programs are on the chopping block including Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). According to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, close to 43 million people receive benefits from SNAP. The New Republic writes, "Because of its widespread use, any potential future cuts to SNAP would affect constituents of every ideological leaning, including rural Americans who live in Republican areas." Individual states are already bracing for the impact of these potential cuts. SNAP currently serves over half a million Coloradans and according to Colorado Blueprint to End Hunger Policy Manager, Dayana Leyva, the cuts to these benefits will be most harmful to the state's rural communities. In Pennsylvania, nearly 2 million people each month receive SNAP benefits.
Congressional Republicans and the Trump administration must think twice when it comes to their sweeping cuts. All signs are pointing to these policies dragging the American people down, especially those in rural areas. One Country Project continues to encourage everyone to evaluate their own life. How many people do you know who rely on these programs or who have been supported by them at some point in their life? An attack on these programs is an attack on the American people and we must continue to hold those in power accountable.
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Each week, this newsletter highlights what's going on in rural states, counties, and communities, and what One Country Project is up to around the country. If you value this content, please consider donating to One Country Project. Your contribution supports our efforts to connect with rural voters and to promote greater opportunities for rural communities.
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EGG-O-NOMICS WEEKLY
Last week, the average price for class A large eggs was $8.05, a 31.11%* increase since the week of January 17th.
Submitted this week by Susan C. in New Salem, ND, eggs at the local grocery store were $8.99/dozen. Submit your egg price pictures to us at [email protected].
*Based on USDA weekly average pricing for class A large eggs.
NUMBER OF THE WEEK
-1,379.50 – The two-day decline in the Dow Jones Industrial Average since Trump announced the expansion of the trade war with Canada and Mexico.
The stock market is now down 1,007.66 points since Trump assumed office. Trump's first term was marked by erratic trade policy shifts, mishandling of public health emergencies, and economic disruptions that fueled the still ongoing inflation in the economy. Trump 2.0 shows no signs of moderating these behaviors with a trade war against our closest allies, a widening measles outbreak, and economic indicators blinking red.
- The current government funding bill expires on March 14th. Without an extended continuing resolution, the government would face a partial shutdown.
- The full Senate confirmation vote for Labor Secretary-nominee Lori Chavez-DeRemer has not yet been scheduled. Ms. DeRemer is the last cabinet nominee awaiting confirmation.
WHAT WE'RE READING
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