Election Day may be right around the corner, but many voters are still trying to understand the agriculture policies of Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. With other topics dominating the national news cycle, issues affecting farmers and ranchers often take a back seat.

Getting specific answers from candidates during an election year can be daunting. However, some details are beginning to emerge.

Trade policy

Like many farm groups, the American Soybean Association sent both presidential campaigns a slate of priorities they want enacted. ASA President Josh Gackle says his organization is particularly focused on export markets and trade. He acknowledges there are problems with China regarding intellectual property and other issues. However, while the relationship between the Chinese and U.S. governments may be tense, agriculture trade between has been beneficial to producers on both sides of the Pacific

“The folks in China that rely on quality U.S. soybeans really appreciate that relationship,” Gackle says. “We want to keep that going and just make sure folks understand that free and fair trade has been beneficial to U.S. farmers.”

Trump famously imposed heavy tariffs on Chinese goods during his term in office. USDA data shows the resulting trade war cost U.S. ag producers more than $27 billion. The impact on farmers was somewhat minimized by Commodity Credit Corporation payments intended to offset losses.

During a Sept. 9 Farm Foundation Forum on the presidential ag platforms, Kip Tom from the Farmers and Ranchers for Trump coalition says the disparity in trade between China and the U.S. necessitates more action. Still, he says Trump’s previous record on trade deals shows he can find ways to offset potential negative effects of tariffs. Tom contends Trump is “probably” one of the most pro trade presidents we’ve had.

“If we can produce more and export more, it’d be better for us,” he says. “And our pathway to get there is much different than I know the Biden-Harris administration, but they’ve had four years to try, and they haven’t gotten it done.”

In response to an American Farm Bureau Federation presidential survey released on Sept. 12, both candidates gave vague answers regarding their ag trade policies. In previous interviews, Trump has suggested imposing higher tariffs on China. While he did not mention that proposal specifically in the survey, he vowed to fight unfair trade practices abroad with every tool at his disposal.

“As part of my effort to knock down barriers to American farm products, I will work to pass the Trump Reciprocal Trade Act and will prioritize American producers over foreign outsourcers,” he said.

A representative from the Harris campaign says the Vice President has protected farmers and ranchers by standing up to “China’s unfair economic practices.”

“As president, she will not tolerate unfair trade practices from China or any competitor that undermine American farmers and ranchers,” her team said in a letter responding to the AFBF survey.

Agriculture labor

During the Farm Foundation presidential forum, former Biden administration EPA Senior Advisor for Agriculture Rod Snyder said the country has a choice between certainty and chaos.

“Roughly 70% of ag workers in the United States are foreign born, and early half of those are undocumented,” Snyder says. “Trump is promising mass deportations, on an unprecedented scale without any consideration for our country’s ag system, food prices, or least of all, the human toll.

In response to an AFBF question on farm labor, undocumented workers and improving the H-2A visa system, Trump said he will prioritize “merit-based” immigration. He says that will ensure those admitted to the country contribute to the economy and strengthen the country.

According to Trump, it is not enough to invest in the economy and agriculture. He says the nation must also “invest in our people.”

“Under a Trump administration, we will grow more farm products in the USA and rebuild our country with American hands.”

Harris says she supports an “earned pathway” to legalization and eventual citizenship for farm and agriculture workers. According to her, the Biden administration has overseen a 50% increase in the H-2A program by making improvements to the application process. She notes the administration is also investing $50 million to address ag labor shortages and improve food chain resiliency.

“Instead of reckless calls for mass deportations of workers and family deeply rooted in our economy and communities, Vice President Harris and Governor Walz believe in tough, smart solutions in order to reform our broken immigration system,” her campaign says. “This means improving our legal immigration system to function better for our economy, farmers and workers, and reform that includes both stronger border security and an earned path to citizenship.”

Farm programs

Trump says he will support “access and affordability” to the risk management tools that were in the 2018 Farm Bill. In the AFBF survey, he says improvements must be made to reference prices, crop insurance, dairy margin coverage and more specialty crop insurance.

“American agriculture is built on science, technology and innovation and we must stay ahead of China with our science investments.”

Harris counters she is the one who will defend farm programs. The vice president accuses Trump of cutting farm programs, job training and workforce development programs in order to pay for tax cuts during his administration.

“If he’s elected, his Project 2025 agenda will give more handouts to the super-wealthy, while making crop insurance and other necessities for family farmers even more expensive,” Harris says.

What Farm Progress readers are saying

Respondents to the most recent Farm Futures survey still overwhelmingly favor former President Trump. However, some readers are still undecided about their vote.

More than three-quarters of respondents say they voted for Trump in 2020. However, only 75% say this will definitely vote for the same candidate they did four years ago. Notably, the survey was printed before Kamala Harris became the Democrat nominee, so it is unclear how that has affected their opinions.

When asked to pick the issues that will determine their vote, 45% of respondents cited Trump’s criminal convictions. Readers say the next most critical issue is the economy (42%), followed by global trade concerns (36%), illegal immigration (29%), gun legislation (26%) and reproductive laws (19%).

Thirty-three percent of respondents say other issues will also influence their vote.