China-US Trade Frictions: Farmers back Trump despite being hit by tariffs

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02:43

Even though Trump's trade policies have hit several industries hard, farmers and other agricultural industries in the US seemingly still hold their support for the administration. Jessica Stone has more from Missouri, where farmers remain patient for a more optimistic outlook.

In cowboy hats and baseball caps, American farmers came to the state capital to pick a politician, hoping to keep Washington focused on the heartland.

Missouri is one of the top U.S. pork exporting states. It's also a major soybean producer. Beijing targeted both products with duties-retaliating against President Trump's tariffs on Chinese goods.

BLAKE HURST PRESIDENT, MISSOURI FARM BUREAU FEDERATION "If President has acted these tariffs, because not if tariffs stay in place, not as a negotiation, we'll be the losers, there's no way to make it up."

JESSICA STONE JEFFERSON CITY, MISSOURI "Here in the state of Missouri, one out of every three rows of soybeans goes to China as export. But even before the tariffs, Missouri farmers were struggling with drought. This soy plant for example should be about double the size."

And when it comes to Trump's emergency aid for farmers, the size of the harvest-matters. A smaller harvest this year will mean a smaller bailout for crop producers.

HARRY THOMPSON MISSOURI FARMER "Farmers are patient, and we can hold on for a while, but we have a bottom line."

Even though Harry Thompson's livelihood hangs in the balance, he won't criticize the president's negotiating style just yet. He thinks Trump needs room to cut a deal and more support in Congress.

JOSH HAWLEY US SENATE CANDIDATE "This state voted for this president by 20 points. The voters want something to be done. Washington needs to follow the people's voice."

In the end, Thompson and the rest of the Missouri Farm Bureau are endorsing the candidate who supports Trump, even though the tariffs are causing crop prices to plunge. Jessica Stone, CGTN, Jefferson City, Missouri.