By Jamie Martin
China’s halt of U.S. soybean purchases between June and August 2025 marks a major escalation in trade tensions. Data from the American Farm Bureau Federation show that U.S. soybean shipments to China dropped by 80 percent compared to 2024, falling from 26.5 million tons to just 5.8 million tons—reaching their lowest level in nearly a decade.
Throughout the summer, no new U.S. soybean contracts were signed, while Brazil exported more than 77 million tons to China. Argentina also took advantage of the opportunity by suspending export taxes, increasing sales beyond $7 billion.
The loss of the Chinese market extends beyond soybeans. U.S. exports of corn, wheat, and sorghum to China have fallen to zero, while pork and cotton trade remain weak. According to the USDA, total American agricultural exports to China are expected to drop to $17 billion this year, more than 50 percent below 2022 levels.
President Donald Trump has pledged to launch a new aid package for rural producers, similar to the $22 billion support program introduced in 2019. “We will use tariff revenues to support our farmers,” Trump said on Truth Social.
Compounding the crisis are higher logistics costs from low Mississippi River levels and declining commodity prices, pushing 2025 U.S. farm income down 2.5 percent—the lowest since 2007.
China’s shift reflects a long-term diversification strategy to strengthen food security and reduce reliance on American agriculture by expanding ties with Brazil and Argentina.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-zoran-zeremski
Categories: National