美国大豆玉米出口与价格“双杀”，农业会否左右明年中期选举？

Group 1: Commodity Price Trends - As of September 26, 2023, the December soybean futures price closed at 1013.75 cents per bushel, reflecting a slight increase of 0.32% this year, but a significant decline of 28.63% over the past three years. The December corn futures price was 422 cents per bushel, down 7.96% year-to-date and 36.97% over three years [1] - Since reaching historical highs in 2022, the price index for CME soybean and corn futures has shown a slow downward trend, returning to levels seen several years ago [1] Group 2: Agricultural Economic Challenges - U.S. farmers are heavily reliant on weather conditions for their harvests, and agricultural yields directly impact their income. Rising production costs due to prolonged inflation have reached historical highs, while soybean and corn prices have remained low for several years, causing significant financial strain on farmers [4] - A survey conducted among 1,034 corn farmers revealed that nearly half (46%) believe the U.S. is on the brink of a farm crisis, with 80% expressing concerns about the economic viability of their farms [4][5] Group 3: Political Implications of Agriculture - The agricultural sector's performance is closely tied to U.S. political dynamics, particularly in key soybean and corn-producing states that predominantly lean Republican. The economic conditions of farmers can influence election outcomes, especially in swing states [6][7] - The Trump administration's proposed "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" aims to allocate approximately $66 billion to the agricultural sector, but the majority of this funding is directed towards production safety networks, leaving farmers with minimal relief amid rising costs [8] Group 4: Tariff Impact on Agriculture - High tariffs have been identified as a significant factor contributing to the challenges faced by U.S. agriculture, with the OECD predicting a decline in economic growth rates due to these policies. The actual tax rate is expected to rise to its highest level since 1933, further straining the agricultural sector [9] - The agricultural workforce, which numbers around 3.4 million, may see a decline in recent years, reflecting the broader economic pressures affecting this critical industry [9] Group 5: Market vs. Government Intervention - The debate continues over whether to rely on market mechanisms or government intervention to address agricultural challenges. Market principles suggest reducing trade barriers, while government intervention typically involves subsidies. However, the effectiveness of subsidies is limited given the federal government's high debt levels [10]