The Year Ahead: Forces that will shape the U.S. rural economy in 2026
Compared to a year ago, economic uncertainty surrounding U.S. trade policy is much lower, steadying the broader outlook for 2026. We’ll be keenly watching row crop profitability and swelling electricity demand in the year ahead. With tariff concerns easing, the AI boom is emerging as the economic bellwether, but fears of a recession-causing market bubble are overblown.
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