[Global Times reported by Ding Yazi] According to Reuters, on the 19th local time, the American Soybean Association called on the US government in an open letter to President Trump to reach an agreement with China, cancel tariffs, and facilitate agreements for China to buy large amounts of American soybeans if possible. The letter warned that if China continues to avoid purchasing American soybeans, it will bring serious and long-term economic consequences to the US agriculture.
Due to the tense relationship between China and the United States on trade issues and the fact that the new trade agreement is still in the negotiation phase, China is accelerating its procurement of soybeans from countries such as Brazil. Currently, China has not pre-purchased the upcoming new season of soybeans from the United States, and this unusual delay has left traders and farmers anxious.
The American Soybean Association pointed out in the letter that soybean prices continue to fall while farmers’ investment in production materials and equipment has increased significantly, putting great financial pressure on farmers. The association emphasized that American farmers cannot bear trade disputes with their largest customer China for a long time.
Bloomberg quoted the analysis of the American Soybean Association saying that in previous years, before harvest, China’s average purchase of soybeans from the United States accounted for 14% of its estimated total imports from the United States. However, exports to other countries cannot make up for the gap. The association’s president Lange warned that tariffs are weakening the international competitiveness of American soybeans. He hopes Trump will prioritize soybean issues in negotiations with China, or losses will be even more severe as autumn approaches.
Data shows that China purchased 54% of US exported soybeans in the 2023-2024 marketing year, totaling $13.2 billion. However, statistics from the US Department of Agriculture showed that in the first half of 2025, China’s imports of soybeans from the United States fell by 39% year-on-year.
The White House responded that Trump cares deeply about the interests of farmers and will continue to expand markets and create a fair competition environment for American farmers. On the 11th of this month, Trump posted on his “real social” platform urging China to increase its soybean purchases by triple and drove up soybean prices briefly. However, farmers are skeptical about whether this goal can be achieved.
Trump’s tariff policy has impacted globally.