Trump’s mess will cost billions

Here we go again! Farmers await bailout payments brought on by President Donald Trump's manufactured farm market crisis.

Call it what you wish, this recurring dilemma exists because the Trump administration has again chosen to pick fights with worldwide trading partners through tariffs.

This is not a market economy based on the "Art of the Deal." This is the art of intimidation, short-term thinking and market loss.

What do we expect other countries to do? Roll over and play dead. No, they find ways to retaliate and seek markets elsewhere. Can we be this naive?

One would hope the Farm Bureau knows better as markets lost do not easily recover. Turmoil and chaos are neither the friend of markets or the farmer.

But can we be so sure market strategy is based on this knowledge? After all, Farm Bureau and powerful mega-ag political operatives told farmers to vote Trump - again. Are there no lessons learned?

In the meantime Mr. Trump plays Santa Claus in response to the mess he created.

David Helman

Salem