South Dakota

South Dakota's agricultural economy is almost entirely exposed to retaliatory tariffs, with its three biggest exports — soybeans, beef, and corn — all prime targets. China's 25% soybean tariff hit South Dakota farmers particularly hard: the state's soybean acreage makes it heavily dependent on export markets, and land values dropped 10-15% in soybean-heavy counties. The state's beef industry, centered on feedlots in the western half and the massive Smithfield and Tyson plants in Sioux Falls, faces retaliatory tariffs from Japan and China on premium cuts. South Dakota's ethanol plants, which consume 40%+ of the corn crop, face trade barriers that suppress demand. Beyond agriculture, South Dakota has limited manufacturing exposure, but the state's credit card processing industry (Citibank, Capital One operations in Sioux Falls, enabled by favorable banking laws) is indirectly affected by consumer spending slowdowns from tariff-driven price increases. Ellsworth Air Force Base provides stable employment unaffected by tariffs. The state's small population means agricultural losses are devastatingly concentrated — entire communities depend on commodity prices that retaliatory tariffs depress.