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Uhhh, that is a nice idea and believe me, I wish we could stick it to China. They can manipulate our grain markets like you won't believe. Having said that, if President Bush starts a trade war and China backs off on purchasing soybeans from us, he will LOSE all the farm vote. It doesn't matter if it is his fault or not, it WILL happen. Just yesterday, the soybeans lost 28 cents per bushel on the price because of nervous traders wondering what will happen with China if this thing heats up. NOT a good time in my opinion to do this now. Let's wait till after the election and THEN play hardball.

Uhhh, that is a nice idea and believe me, I wish we could stick it to China. They can manipulate our grain markets like you won't believe. Having said that, if President Bush starts a trade war and China backs off on purchasing soybeans from us, he will LOSE all the farm vote. It doesn't matter if it is his fault or not, it WILL happen. Just yesterday, the soybeans lost 28 cents per bushel on the price because of nervous traders wondering what will happen with China if this thing heats up. NOT a good time in my opinion to do this now. Let's wait till after the election and THEN play hardball.

There is a certain bit of wisdom in what you say, but their are a lot more families hurting from free trade now then are on the farm. I would like to see an escalation of trade sanctions until China has to cry uncle. Thi I think would be best

...and China backs off on purchasing soybeans from us, he will LOSE all the farm vote.

Not exactly. Just for the soybean producers...maybe, but even for them it won't be all that clear cut.

China is extremely protectionist regarding soybeans, and have been so for a long time. If they stop buying it won't be out of the ordinary of the established pattern.

Secondly, corn and other ag products are hurt by China's trade practices.

China's undervalued currency isn't just undervalued vs the USD. I can go into detail if you want, but the jist is, Chinese subsidies undercuts US marketshare in Korea, Japan, and other areas around Asia. Those are our real markets in Asia. China is a smidgin.

Corn or any other ag commodity producers should be jumping up and down cheering and cheerleading the call for China to float its currency.

There are more reasons than that too...

If Chinese currency appreciates then soybean sales to China become just that much more profitable, as well as volume will increase. Along with everything else I might add.

Its not NEARLY that GW will lose the farm vote... but rather the opposite.

or any other ag commodity producers should be jumping up and down cheering and cheerleading the call for China to float its currency.

Not only that, but they should most definately be THE force behind having China's butt live up to what its mouth agreed to in joining the WTO.

China not in any position for a trade war with us
there economy's main engine of growth is
their exports to US. And they import very little,
the soybeans is one the few things they do.
And even there they would import a whole lot
more if they eased up their barriers.

We could easily get a lot more exports to
China if we got tough. China's economy
would collapse without us.

And to be frank, even if your worse case
played out and a trade war began
the votes Bush gained form workers and
fired up conservatives would offset
the soybean farmers very easily.