Hillbilly wisdom: there will be an atmosphere of distrust between China and United States in trade negotiations as by and large Trump has been in control, and I use that term sarcastically, for the period during which higher tariffs have been introduced. If Trump can speak for hours with Putin about peace, why can he not handle negotiations with China over the phone? Negotiations are not necessary when the other party does not need what you have. They will just stop buying your stuff. These meetings will not be negotiations. Rather, these meetings will be concessions or sellouts. The duplicity and uncertainty of dealing with the United States under Trump (TACO) will figure largely into the success of this trip.

China’s purchases of U.S. farm commodities has stopped and been redirected to other places. What is Trump going to use as leverage to get a better deal. China can exist without United States soybeans and corn. What do we bring to the table? Taiwan? American farm land will be available because the current occupants are going under. Not the large farms (corporate, and individual) but the smaller ones the ones which will not get any of the proposed bailout. Bailouts rarely/ never extend to the bottom of the economic ladder. We could do this bailout differently. Help the bottom individual tenets and nationalize the large farms which are not going to make it. This would help the Americans who need it the most and preserve the large farms to supply our national interest. Free markets will, over time, regulate production. Do we want and can we afford free markets? Maybe the military could help plant and harvest. They can pick up trash on the urban streets. Why not other forms of cross training? It would be good physical training. Such programs are not without precedent.

Beef prices are outrageously high. Supply and demand. Prices of raising beef are increasing. Make feed from the soybeans and corn available. Seems we have an oversupply. Do not plant more than you can sell next year. There will be a period (an adjustment) when we will have to grow replacements cows. Current herd size can not keep up with demand and prices can not come down until herd size increases (supply). Outside purchases of replacement cows run the risk of disease introduction into the herds.

Trade makes for better standards of living for those inhabitants of the world, currently over 8 billion. Trade allows for specialization of industry, economy of scales, means of supplementing lack of resources in a given area at any given time. But like everything else trust is vital. Without trust an honest trade agreement is impossible. Trumps’ position that the United States has been taken advantage of by the other countries is at best stupid. How can a nation take advantage of another more affluent and powerful nation? That would be like a minor taking advantage of an adult (Epstein, oops bad example). Does not happen in the real world. Or maybe it is the fault of Biden (ghost of administrations past). Then again, that argument falls short because he is also a past administrator.

When a clown moves into the palace, he does not become a king. The palace becomes a circus. Without a back door! For a self declared deal maker and an advocate of peace, Trump presents conflicting statements and actions. Read my lips and watch what I do. Reality is what you see.