Viral TikTok Farmer | On a quiet morning at his farm’s mushroom house, TikTok user @Westmoreland_pops began his now-viral video with a somber tone: “This isn’t an ‘I told you so’—this is an ‘I wish you had listened.’” His message wasn’t just personal—it was a pointed address to rural America, especially to the farmers and ranchers who supported Donald Trump and are now reeling from the renewed U.S.-China trade war.
In his video, he revisited a series of earlier posts where he had warned about the consequences of a second Trump term. He highlighted the risks of reigniting a tariff war with China and argued that while the former president’s first trade clash left China unprepared, this time the story is drastically different. “China learned, adapted, and fortified,” he said. “America didn’t.”
Viral TikTok Farmer Highlights China’s Calculated Response: U.S. Soybean Licenses Revoked
Viral TikTok Farmer | In March 2025, the Chinese government delivered a strategic blow to the U.S. agricultural sector by revoking export licenses for three major American soybean distributors. This move effectively shut them out of the Chinese market—once a major destination for U.S. soy.
This retaliatory measure followed the U.S.’s reimplementation of heavy tariffs on Chinese goods. In turn, China imposed a 34% tariff on U.S. agricultural products, including soybeans, corn, pork, and poultry. The impact has been immediate and far-reaching. Farmers who had secured loans, planted crops, and forecasted yields based on international demand are now staring down a black hole where revenue was expected.
A New Global Order: China’s Agricultural Shift to South America
Viral TikTok Farmer | China’s agricultural policy over the past few years has seen a deliberate pivot toward Latin America, particularly Brazil and Argentina. As @Westmoreland_pops noted, “Back then, China had to buy from us—today, they don’t.” Once dependent on American supply due to internal livestock disease and insufficient crop stocks, China now thrives on partnerships with South American suppliers.
Brazil’s share of China’s row crop imports has skyrocketed from 13% to over 43%—a trend that is only growing. These developments signal a fundamental shift in global trade dynamics, where South American nations are replacing the U.S. as China’s go-to agricultural partners. For American farmers, this isn’t just a trade war—it’s a long-term erosion of market relevance.
A Bleeding Heartland: Projected Losses Paint a Grim Picture
Viral TikTok Farmer | Studies by the American Soybean Association and the National Corn Growers Association confirm the worst fears of rural producers. If current trade conditions persist, soybean exports to China could plunge by 14 to 16 million metric tons annually—a staggering 51.8% decline. Corn exports could fare even worse, with an estimated 84.3% drop, or 2.2 million metric tons each year.
These figures translate to annual losses of $3.6 to $5.9 billion for soybean farmers and between $900 million to $1.4 billion for corn farmers. The damage extends beyond crops: China’s retaliatory tariffs now target pork, beef, poultry, and more—gutting every sector of U.S. agriculture and rendering the Trump administration’s ethanol subsidy programs a feeble counterbalance.
Viral TikTok Farmer Speaks on Rural Unrest as Markets React to Trump’s Tariffs
Despite the economic downturn, many farmers continue to support former President Trump. Yet, voices like @Westmoreland_pops are growing louder, urging fellow rural Americans to call their elected officials—especially Republicans—and demand urgent changes in tariff policy.
Viral TikTok Farmer | He described the current administration’s approach to trade as chaotic and unstrategic. After early-day market gains fueled by optimistic political statements, the Dow quickly plunged following an announcement of 104 new tariffs on China, exposing the fragility of investor confidence. “This isn’t chess,” he said in frustration. “It’s not even checkers. They’re just sitting in the corner playing with themselves.”
Policy Paralysis: Farmers Left Without Safety Nets
Viral TikTok Farmer | Aside from the collapse of export markets, American farmers now face a cascade of other pressures. Tariffs on imported equipment have driven up the cost of farming essentials—from machinery to fertilizer. Meanwhile, the federal government has frozen over $2 billion in agricultural support funding, cutting off a critical lifeline for producers in crisis.
In the face of these headwinds, many small farms risk closure. Already in debt and mid-season with planted fields, farmers now confront a chilling reality: there may be no buyers, no subsidies, and no safety net. “If this continues,” said @Westmoreland_pops, “the only people profiting from America’s harvest will be Wall Street investors—people like JD Vance and the acre trader crowd.”
Viral TikTok Farmer Final Call to Action
Viral TikTok Farmer | As the TikTok clip nears its end, the farmer’s tone turns urgent: “Get off your butts—Republicans, Independents, Democrats. Make the calls.” He urges people not to rely on agricultural lobbying groups like the Cattlemen’s Association or the Farm Bureau, but to take personal action and pressure their representatives directly.
The message, though passionate, isn’t partisan. It’s a plea grounded in the livelihoods of tens of thousands of American families who stand to lose everything. “We’re not just fighting tariffs,” he said, “we’re fighting for the soul of rural America.”
The unfolding trade war has reignited old fears and sparked new crises. As China marches forward with strategic alliances and diversified imports, U.S. agriculture appears increasingly vulnerable. If policymakers and farmers fail to course-correct, the losses could extend far beyond soybeans and corn—reaching deep into the cultural and economic fabric of rural America.
