49% of South Dakotans still say King Don’s tariffs are a good idea. 49% of South Dakotans evidently want to destroy prosperity and the free market.
King Don has duped farmers and ranchers into mouthing support for his tariff wars as a useful tool to win fair trade, even though they know tariffs are bad economics:
The volatility caused by tariffs and Trump’s statements have put new financial pressures on South Dakota ranchers, said Warren Symens, a Marshall County farmer and rancher who is president of the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association.
…“We understand that tariffs can be a tool in trade negotiations. But we know that long-term they are not an economic solution to anything” [Bart Pfankuch, “Poll: Support for Trump Tariffs Uneven in South Dakota,” South Dakota News Watch, 2025.11.17].
The problem is, Trump isn’t using tariffs as part of a systematic, well-thought-out strategy to forge a better economic situation. He’s just extorting world leaders and making decisions based on impulse, pique, and flattery. Consider how the Swiss won a reduction in tariffs with pure bribery:
“It’s a great relief for our economy,” said Swiss Economics Minister Guy Parmelin, who said significant damage had been done since the additional tariffs had kicked in last August.
Parmelin said a move by Swiss business leaders to meet Trump in the White House last week had proved “decisive” in reaching a deal.
Industry chiefs visited the Oval Office, bearing gifts including a Rolex gold watch and a specially engraved gold bar from Swiss-based gold refining company MKS.
Initial attempts by Swiss President Karin Keller Sutter to change Trump’s mind had fallen on deaf ears. Trump said she “was a nice woman, but she did not want to listen”.
But after the 4 November encounter with Swiss business leaders, Trump revealed this week a deal was being worked on [Imogen Foulkes, “US Agrees Deal to Slash Swiss Tariffs to 15% After Golden Charm Offensive,” BBC, 2025.11.16].
South Dakotans and all Americans need economic policy guided by reliable principles, analysis, and strategy. Changing policy based on who brings our President shiny presents isn’t good economic strategy; it’s crony capitalism, which brings corruption and economic stagnation. But given how slow South Dakotans are to recognize and respond to corruption, support for tariffs will probably linger until we’re in a full-blown agricultural depression.