Rubber trees in the USA? Is that a joke? There is a reason condoms and Foley catheters are made in Malaysia, besides cheap labor although Moncks Corner makes them with imported RM. Overseas can pollute at will, who cares about ethylene oxide in the atmosphere. I can't remember seeing a rubber plantation anywhere in the USA but that would not stop some from wasting money trying.
$35-40 tires are now $60-65, much like heating oil used to be $1.69 in October of 2020 and is now "Only" double that. (Yes, I know black chili is made north of Frankfurt from a combo of natural and synthetic). Anyone who thinks tire prices have not increased is living in another world. My car tires are over $400 now.