US soybean farmers hit hard by renewed trade war with China
As the US soybean harvest begins, farmers like Travis Hutchison in Maryland are struggling despite strong yields. China — once the top buyer of American soybeans — has halted orders amid a renewed trade dispute sparked by President Donald Trump’s new tariffs on Chinese goods.
Soybean exports to China, which once made up more than half of the $24.5 billion US trade, have dropped by over 50% this year. Prices have fallen about 40% from three years ago, as China imposed 20% counter-tariffs, making US soybeans more expensive than South American supplies. Argentina’s suspension of export taxes has further hurt US competitiveness.
Farmers say Trump’s promises to use tariff revenues for aid are unclear, and short-term bailouts are “a band-aid” solution. “We’re in the farming game for the long term,” Hutchison said.
The American Soybean Association warned the situation is “worse than 2018,” when a previous trade war cost US agriculture $27 billion in export losses. With rising costs for fertilizer and machinery, and farm bankruptcies up 50% from 2024, many growers face financial crisis.
“This year’s going to be very tough,” said farmer David Burrier. “If China stops buying for good, it’ll be a four-alarm fire.”
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