WASHINGTON – Trade tensions between the United States (US) and China have once again pressured American agricultural exports.

Latest data show US agricultural exports to China dropped nearly 40% in the period from June 2024 to June 2025, according to the US Census Bureau’s USA Trade Online database.

As reported by investigatemidwest.org on Monday (25/8), the first trade war ignited by President Donald Trump in 2018 prompted Beijing to retaliate against US agricultural products.

This opened opportunities for South American countries, particularly Brazil, to seize market share in soybean and corn exports to China.

Unlike before, the second round of the trade war during Trump’s current term has expanded to other major trading partners, making its impact more global.

The full consequences of the tariff conflict have yet to be seen, but the latest trade data offer an early indication of the direction ahead.

Soybeans remain the main US export commodity to China, with Brazil as the toughest competitor for Midwest farmers, followed by beef, beef products, and cotton.

In 2024, the top five destinations absorbed 61% of US agricultural exports.

Mexico even surpassed China and Canada as the largest market, while China slipped to third place with import values of USD 24.7 billion, down 15% from the previous year.

The decline was mainly driven by weaker soybean and corn sales due to stiff competition from South America.

At the peak of this year’s trade tensions, Trump raised tariffs on Chinese imports to as high as 145%, while Beijing retaliated with duties of 125% on US goods.

However, on 11 August, Trump signed an executive order extending a “tariff truce” for 90 days until 10 November.

The decision halted plans for a new escalation, with current tariffs capped at 30% on Chinese imports and 10% on US exports. (DK/ZH)