Trump’s great patriot farmers follow him into a trade war

MADRID, Iowa (AP) — Donald Trump won the presidency by winning rural America, in part by pledging to use his tough negotiating skills to take on China and put an end to trade practices that have hurt farmers for years.

While the prolonged fight has been devastating to an already-struggling agriculture industry, there’s little indication Trump is paying a political price. But there’s a big potential upside if he can get a better deal — and little downside if he continues to get credit for fighting for the farmers caught in the middle.

It’s a calculation Trump recognizes heading into a reelection bid where he needs to hold on to farm states like Iowa and Wisconsin and is looking to flip others, like Minnesota.