By Alex Johnson | Thursday, 14 May 2026 09:34 AM EDT
American farmers “trust” President Donald Trump has their best interests in mind while discussing trade in China, according to Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., who spoke recently.
Marshall praised President Trump’s ongoing trip to China as a critical moment for U.S. agriculture and global trade, describing the president as uniquely qualified to negotiate with America’s largest geopolitical rival.
“Here’s President Trump, the deal maker,” Marshall stated in an interview. “This is his sweet spot out there making a deal for America.”
Marshall pointed to early signs of progress from the trip, including reports that China is reopening portions of its market to American beef producers and increasing purchases of U.S. agricultural products such as soybeans.
“China seems to only buy American agriculture products when President Trump is waving this hammer over their head, whether it’s tariffs or something else,” Marshall added.
Trump has long used tariffs and aggressive trade negotiations to pressure Beijing over trade imbalances, intellectual property theft, and unfair market practices. During his first term, Trump secured what supporters called historic agricultural commitments from China under the Phase One trade agreement.
Marshall said American farmers are counting on Trump once again to secure stronger export markets and fairer treatment for U.S. producers. “We trust in Trump that he’s over there making a great deal for us,” Marshall stated. “No one has done more for American agriculture and rural America than President Trump.”
The Kansas Republican emphasized how critical exports are to rural communities, particularly for value-added agricultural products. “The American farmer makes money when we have a value-add product, when we turn corn into beef, or we turn sorghum into ethanol, and we export those,” Marshall explained.
He noted that corn and ethanol exports have risen significantly under Trump’s economic policies and said the president is rightfully pressuring China to buy American products instead of relying on competitors such as Brazil. “If we’re buying all these products from China, why are you buying Brazil soybeans over American soybeans?” Marshall asked.
Marshall also argued that Trump understands China poses a strategic challenge to the United States economically, militarily, and ideologically but said the president is negotiating “with his eyes wide open.”
Beyond trade, Marshall discussed legislation aimed at lowering fertilizer costs for farmers by increasing market competition and reducing certain import duties. He blamed high fertilizer costs in part on global instability and policies under former President Joe Biden.
Still, Marshall expressed confidence that Trump’s America First agenda will continue benefiting rural America. “President Trump has taken on China,” Marshall said, “and he is doing what’s right for America.”
