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China escalated trade tensions with the U.S. on Tuesday by suspending soybean import licenses for three American firms—CHS Inc, Louis Dreyfus Company Grains Merchandising LLC, and EGT—citing contamination concerns. Additionally, Beijing halted U.S. log imports due to pest detection. These moves follow Washington’s decision to impose a 10% tariff hike on Chinese goods, bringing total duties to 20%.
China also levied new tariffs on $21 billion worth of U.S. agricultural and food products, including soybeans, wheat, meat, and cotton. The latest restrictions, combined with increased tariffs—15% on chicken, wheat, corn, and cotton, and 10% on soybeans, sorghum, pork, beef, seafood, fruits, vegetables, and dairy—will further limit American farm exports.
Beijing’s response comes as U.S. President Donald Trump investigates lumber imports and considers a 25% tariff on forest products. China, a major importer of wood products, purchased $850 million worth of U.S. logs in 2024. Experts note that agricultural and forestry imports are frequent targets for trade retaliation due to phytosanitary regulations.
The U.S. soybean industry faces a significant blow, as China accounts for nearly half of American soybean exports, totaling $12.8 billion in 2024. However, China has diversified its supply chain, relying more on South American producers and boosting domestic production. This strategic shift allows Beijing to target U.S. farmers with minimal impact on its own food security, unlike the 2018 trade war.
The escalating trade dispute underscores China’s strengthened position in agricultural markets, potentially causing long-term damage to U.S. farmers while reshaping global supply chains.
