Soybean farmers caught in the middle of U.S-China trade war

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Soybean farmers are once again feeling the impact of U.S.-China trade tensions.

Back in 2018, soybeans were at the center of a major tariff dispute during the U.S.-China trade war, when China imposed a 25% tariff on American soybeans. The move led to a drop in soybean prices and a decline in export values.

Fast forward to 2025, when a 34% tariff was imposed on soybeans in April.

President Donald Trump has warned he may revive trade measures with additional levies of up to 100% on China-bound U.S. exports, though not specifically on soybeans.

With it being harvest season for Missouri — the nation’s seventh largest soybean producer — and Kansas, ranked tenth, farmers could be facing financial hardships as China continues to boycott this year’s U.S. soybeans.

China remains the largest customer for American soybeans, but if this retaliation continues, the country is expected to purchase $10 billion fewer soybeans than last year.

Missouri has been finding alternative markets to trade with.

University of Missouri Extension agriculture economist Ben Brown said, "China isn't buying U.S. soybeans, but we are finding, you know, some alternative uses to use product, whether that's shipping to other countries, whether that's more domestic uses here in the United States. But it's not making up for what we lost to China."

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, China purchased $12.6 billion worth of soybeans in 2024.

Last month, sources indicated that President Trump is considering using tariff revenue to fund a $10 billion aid package for U.S. farmers. This move could offer short-term relief but might not provide long-term stability.

A local farmer from Everest, Kansas, described what farmers are looking for when it comes to the market.

"In the long term, what we really need is we need for good trade negotiations. We need good trading partners. We need to look at a new market development," said Scott Gigstad, a local farmer. "Agriculture also operates differently than most industries in agriculture, where price takers, not price makers. If something isn't profitable, doesn't mean that that might be the best price we get for yield."

Looking ahead to 2026, one of the major concerns is the rising cost of phosphorus and nitrogen fertilizers, key chemicals needed for the planting cycle.

If conditions continue, it will keep affecting farmers’ profits — and quite possibly wallets as well.