February 2026: Mitchell Claimed Grocery Prices Had Come Down And Proved That Trump’s “Liberation Day” Was Successful. According to an interview with Joe Mitchell on the John Fredericks Show, "MITCHELL: Well, John, remember last April okay, April 2025, and we had Liberation Day and the entire news media and CNBC, all these people, I mean, Squawk Box, they were like, we're going to have a terrible year. We're going go into a recession, the economy is going to tank. And that was all a bunch of B.S. That was all a bunch of B.S. and President Trump has proved them wrong time after time. And you've seen the job numbers go up. You've seen wages go up, inflation's came down, prices have came down. You have grocery prices that have came down, interest rates that have came down. And then they'll point out ground beef. It's like, okay, President Trump's working on that. But I go to the grocery store. Eggs came down, milk came down, breads came down. And so all these costs come down. And, by the way, you know how incredibly hard that is for companies to hike up prices and then have policy drive down price? I mean, that's a hard task. And President Trump's done it and he's going to continue do it throughout this year." [John Fredericks Show, 2/12/26] (video)
Mitchell: “I’m Supportive Of The President And What He's Done With Tariffs.” According to an interview with Joe Mitchell on KXEL Live & Local, “MITCHELL: Right, well, and this is where the president, you know, he's mastered the tariffs this time around. He's mastered the tariffs. And so, you know, the president and Bessent and Howard Lutnick, they think there may be a way to be able to reduce the national deficit utilizing tariffs. They've been bringing in record amounts, you know, tens of billions of dollars in tariff revenue already. And so, you know, I think they've realized that we've been getting ripped off by these countries for a long time. You know, free and fair trade isn't your allies charging us 25% tariffs and us charging them nothing. And so I think, you know, the tariff revenue is actually going to have a huge impact in the national debt. But, you know, Congress can't spend like drunken sailors like they have then, you know, they have to tighten the belt and they have to make sure that they have a balanced budget, just like we do in our businesses, Jeff. And so, you know, ultimately, I'm going to be an advocate, strong advocate, you know, to make sure that we balance our debt. But also, I'm supportive of the president and what he's done with tariffs. And all the experts said that the economy would be upside down right now. They said we'd be in a recession and they're all full of you know what. And so I'm going to stand by the president. I think he's done a great job with the tariffs. And I think, you know, his plan to reduce the deficit, utilizing tariffs and cutting back spending is probably the right avenue to do that.” [KXEL Live & Local, 9/9/25] (audio)
Mitchell On Tariffs: “The President, He's The Best Deal Maker I've Ever Seen.” According to an interview with Joe Mitchell on Live & Local, "MITCHELL: Well and that’s interesting Jeff, because I've gotten a lot of questions recently on the tariffs from people. And I don't know if we've spoken about this or not yet, but I said, you know, the president, he's the best deal maker we’ve ever seen, especially as a president. And he did this for many years as a real estate developer, and he never rushed to a deal. And so, you know, that's what the president's doing right now. And I'm really confident going into the midterms in November of 2026, that we're going to have a lot more deals done because the president made them. But you can't rush a good deal. And anytime I have rushed a deal hasn't been a good deal. And so, you know, we understand that, we're going to take that same philosophy to Congress. We're going to stand beside the president and do that same thing. But you're going to have more dealmakers in Congress. And right now you don't have a lot of people I think that understand that." [KXEL Live & Local, 11/25/25] (audio)
While Speaking About Trump’s Tariffs, Mitchell Said “I Think He's Doing A Good Job” And “People Aren't Giving The President Enough Credit.” According to an interview with Joe Mitchell on the Right Side Broadcasting Network, "MITCHELL: Well, I think the biggest thing is, you know, Bobbie, people aren't giving the president enough credit for the trade deals that he's making. And people expect all these trade deals to happen within a few days. And that's just not how deals work in general. You know, the president, you know, formally and famously was the greatest real estate developer in Manhattan, probably the [AUDIO CUTS OUT]. You know, I know this as a real estate developer at a much smaller scale in Iowa. But, you know, you don't you never rush a good deal. You never rush a good deal, because if you rush a deal that it never turns out to be a good one. And he understands that more than anybody else. And all these politicians in Washington, a lot of them aren't businesspeople. They don't understand, you know, how to use leverage. You know, they're not dealmakers. And that's why we've actually had such a terrible policy for so many years, because you've had people up there that want to rush things and get instant gratification. And it doesn't work that way in the real world. And so, you know, the president has brought really good perspective and insight to Washington on how to actually make good deals happen with world leaders. And, you know, I think we're going to give him a lot of credit here very soon for these trade deals he's putting together, you know, both in China and elsewhere for our farmers. And so, I think he's doing a good job." [Right Side Broadcasting Network, 12/9/25] (video)
HEADLINE: "Vulnerable Iowa Farmers Now Face Perils Of Trump’s Trade War" [New York Times, 5/5/25]
HEADLINE: "Des Moines Metro Homebuilders Worry Steel, Aluminum Tariffs Will Smother Sales Recovery" [Des Moines Register, 2/27/25]
The President Of The Iowa Corn Growers Association Said Tariffs Would Impact Farms And Rural Communities At A Time When Farm Income Was Already Falling And The Industry Was Experiencing Layoffs. According to Iowa Public Radio, "The American Soybean Association, National Pork Producers Council and Iowa Corn Growers Association issued similar calls for trade negotiations and support for new markets. ‘We see tariffs impact us as farmers … but it also relates heavily to rural Iowa and the communities we live in,’ said Stu Swanson, president of the Iowa Corn Growers Association and a farmer in Wright County. Swanson said the trade conflict comes on top of low commodity prices and high input costs. Net farm income has fallen since 2023 after a record high in 2022. The farm economy downturn has contributed to layoffs at John Deere, Bridgestone-Firestone, Cargill and Corteva over the last year. Commodity groups and farmer organizations are also concerned that China will turn more to Brazil and Argentina for its supply of corn and soybeans in an ongoing trade war. Swanson said it’s difficult for American farmers to regain their market share once it’s lost." [Iowa Public Radio, 4/8/25]
An Agricultural Economist From Iowa State University Said Tariffs Would Hurt Iowa Producers Because Chinese Buyers Would Buy Less American Product And Put Downward Pressure On Prices Of Goods Like Corn And Soybeans. According to CBS 2 Iowa, "But economists who studied the last trade war say the damage to farmers was significant, even with billions in federal aid. Dr. Chad Hart, an agricultural economist at Iowa State University, explained how the latest Chinese tariffs work and why they could hurt U.S. farmers. ‘China putting a 10% tariff on soybeans, a 15% tariff on corn— that’s forcing those products to cost 10-15% more than they used to. That means Chinese buyers will buy less from us,’ Hart said. ‘Since they’re buying less from us, that’s going to put downward pressure on prices here in the U.S. for corn and soybeans. And that’s how it hurts producers.’" [CBS 2 Iowa, 3/6/25]
Iowa Farmers Union Board President: "A Trade War Will Put Iowa Farmers Directly In The Crossfire Without Getting Any Closer To The Long-Term Goal Of Fair Trade That Values Iowa Farmers And Workers." According to the Des Moines Register, "Among the most worried are rural residents who are heavily reliant on farming and manufacturing. Aaron Lehman, the Iowa Farmers Union board president, said farmers and rural communities pay ‘the price when the administration chooses a chaotic trade policy.’ ‘A trade war will put Iowa farmers directly in the crossfire without getting any closer to the long-term goal of fair trade that values Iowa farmers and workers,’ Lehman, a central Iowa farmer, said in a statement." [Des Moines Register, 4/4/25]
HEADLINE: "Trump Tariffs Add Costs Amid 'Growing Disaster,' Some Iowa Farmers Say" [Des Moines Register, 2/19/26]
Madison County Cattle Producer On Trump’s Trade War: “As Farmers, We’re Tired Of Being A Pawn… And We're Tired Of Being Sacrificed.” According to the Des Moines Register, "Iowa’s all-Republican House delegation — Reps. Ashely Hinson, Randy Feenstra, Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Zach Nunn — voted against the measure. The bill now heads to the Senate, where its fate is unclear. Trump is expected to veto any bill that reaches his desk. ‘We'd love to see some actual oversight in… the executive's ability to exercise tariffs,’ said Marquardt, a Madison County cattle producer. ‘As farmers, we’re tired of being a pawn… and we're tired of being sacrificed.’ Wobeter said Trump’s often repeated declaration that ‘we love our farmers’ is meaningless. ‘We’re not feeling the love, when beef imports from Argentina… cut into our profits,’ she added, ‘Because somehow, paying farmers a fair price for work to raise high-quality beef in a challenging environment is asking too much." [Des Moines Register, 2/19/26]
HEADLINE: "As Trump Promotes Economy In Iowa, Many Residents Feel Pain" [New York Times, 1/27/26]
Iowa Farmers Union President: “We’re Losing Money On Every Bushel We Produce On Our Two Main Things That We Grow.” According to the New York Times, "Mr. Trump and Xi Jinping, the Chinese leader, eventually agreed in late October to a one-year truce that ended China’s boycott of farm products, including millions of tons of soybeans. The Trump administration also unveiled a $12 billion aid package for farmers, but for many farmers the relief was insufficient and too late. ‘We’re losing money on every bushel we produce on our two main things that we grow,’ said Aaron Lehman, the president of the Iowa Farmers Union, referring to corn and soybeans." [New York Times, 1/27/26]
Iowa State University Economics Professor Peter Orazem On Trump’s Tariffs: “We're All Going To Be Poorer.” According to the Gazette, "Q: How would the tariffs affect America's long term economic alliances, and what would that mean for market access to Iowa farmers to sell their products overseas? A: Well, we're all going to be poorer. The whole definition of trade is both parties benefit. But there seems to be a sense that trade is a zero-sum game. So if the other person loses, you must be winning. But in fact, a reduction in trade means both parties lose. So unless we have a quick resumption of trade, you're going to see a protracted loss of wealth in the United States." [The Gazette, 4/14/25]
Factory Workers In Iowa Were Laid Off Despite Trump’s Promises That His Tariffs Would Revive Manufacturing. According to CBS News, "About 350 Whirlpool factory workers in rural Iowa will lose their jobs on March 9 — a blow to a community where the plant has anchored the local economy for eight decades. The layoffs are also another sign of U.S. manufacturers' ongoing struggles, which have persisted despite the Trump administration's pledge to revive the sector. In April of 2025, President Trump said that ‘jobs and factories will come roaring back into our country’ due to his tariff policies, which sharply raised taxes on imports from nearly every U.S. trading partner. Although some companies have responded to the tariffs by promising to invest in the U.S., building those factories could take years. Such commitments are also nonbinding, leaving it unclear when, or if, such projects will be shovel-ready." [CBS News, 3/6/26]
PRESS RELEASE: "U.S. Soybean Farmers Sound Alarm As China Turns To Brazil Amid Trade Standoff" [Press Release – Iowa Soybean Association, 8/21/25]
HEADLINE: "China’s Snub Of U.S. Soybeans Is A Crisis For American Farmers" [New York Times, 9/15/25]
HEADLINE: Iowa Soybean Farmers Face $1.5B Blow As China Stops Imports. [WHO13 Des Moines, 10/7/25]