American Soybean Association urges President Trump to prioritize China trade as farmers face crisis

The American Soybean Association is urging President Trump to prioritize soybeans in U.S.-China trade talks, warning that retaliatory tariffs are shutting American farmers out of their largest export market going into the 2025 soybean harvest.

In a letter sent Aug. 19 to the White House, the group called for the removal of Chinese tariffs on U.S. soybeans and commitments for future purchases.

ASA also released a white paper outlining the financial consequences of losing long-term market share in China.

“U.S. soybean farmers are standing at a trade and financial precipice,” ASA President Caleb Ragland, a soybean farmer from Kentucky, said in the letter. “Soybean farmers are under extreme financial stress. Prices continue to drop and at the same time our farmers are paying significantly more for inputs and equipment. U.S. soybean farmers cannot survive a prolonged trade dispute with our largest customer.”

China has historically imported more than 60 percent of the world’s soybean supplies, with the U.S. once serving as its top source.

But retaliatory tariffs now make U.S. soybeans 20 percent more expensive than South American supplies, and China has turned to Brazil, which has expanded production to meet demand.

“Every day without an agreement further erodes U.S. farmers’ market share in China,” Ragland said.

“We strongly urge the administration to secure a deal that reopens this vital market for U.S. soybeans,” he added.