Farmers in the Dark

The sun beats down on the Iowa State Fairgrounds as hundreds of thousands of people throng through the gates. Among them are farmers like Aaron Lehman, president of the Iowa Farmers Union. For Lehman, the fair is a time to connect with others who understand the struggles he faces. As we walk past rows of livestock and farm equipment, Lehman shares his concerns about President Donald Trump's trade war.

"This policy has been very chaotic, and our farmers have struggled to figure out what's going on," Lehman said. "If we were getting to a situation that meant fairer trade eventually for farmers, I think farmers would understand that sometimes it's necessary to go through some pain. But we're not seeing us getting any closer."

For Lehman, the uncertainty is taking a toll. His family has been farming in Iowa for five generations, and he wants his son to take over the farm one day. But with the trade war causing economic chaos, planning for the future is difficult.

"So it's a scary time for our farm," Lehman said.

Lehman isn't alone in his concerns. Other farmers who spoke to CBC News echoed his sentiments, expressing frustration with Trump's policies and their impact on the agricultural industry.

Jack Ploen, a Republican farmer from Avoca, Iowa, is particularly critical of Trump's approach. "I'm a Republican, but I think Donald went too far in some of the things he does," Ploen said. "And he's pushed a lot of people away. A lot of countries are standoffish with us because of his policies."

As we continue to explore the fairgrounds, it becomes clear that Trump's trade war is not just an issue for farmers; it's also affecting everyday Iowans. The state's largest export market is Canada, accounting for 30 per cent of Iowa's total goods exports in 2025.

Canada, U.S. far apart on tariff deal as deadline looms

For Lehman and other farmers, the threat of new tariffs on Canadian goods is a major concern. If Trump imposes his threatened 50 per cent tariffs on hundreds of Canadian goods, it could have devastating effects on Iowa's agricultural industry.

In an effort to address these concerns, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer visited a manufacturing facility in Iowa last Friday. Greer touted Trump's economic strategy and emphasized the importance of making American industry competitive through tariffs and tax cuts.

"We're seeing a transition from an economy that was focused on government spending, government jobs, subsidies for all these different programs… to an economy that's focused on American workers," Greer said.

However, not everyone is convinced by Trump's approach. Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley, a Republican, has been critical of the president's tariff threats against Canada. "These negotiations cannot be used as a way of destroying [CUSMA]," Grassley said.

As the deadline for Trump's tariffs looms, it remains unclear whether a deal can be reached with Canada. Sources close to the negotiations suggest that the two countries are far apart on key issues, and optimism is eroding on the Canadian side.

Despite these challenges, farmers like Lehman continue to push forward, trying to make ends meet in the face of uncertainty. As we wrap up our visit to the Iowa State Fair, it's clear that Trump's trade war is not just an issue for politicians or policymakers; it's also a lived experience for everyday Americans.