[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.
The report stated that due to the tense relationship between China and the United States on trade issues, and the new trade agreement is still in the negotiation stage, 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 worried traders and farmers.
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 farmers under huge financial pressure. The association emphasized that American farmers cannot bear the trade dispute 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 purchases of soybeans from the United States accounted for an average of 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 La格兰 warned that tariffs are weakening the international competitiveness of American soybeans. He hoped that Trump will prioritize soybean issues in negotiations with China, or losses will become more severe as autumn approaches.
Data shows that China purchased 54% of US export 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 three times, driving up soybean prices briefly. But farmers are skeptical about whether this goal can be achieved.
Trump’s tariff policy has impacted the global market.