Republican lawmakers said China is unlikely to resume purchases of U.S. farm goods soon, after a closed-door briefing from Ambassador David Perdue. Beijing has yet to book a single cargo of American soybeans this season, deepening farmer anxiety as harvest gets underway.
Senator Mike Rounds said China was “intentionally not buying” and offered no indication that would change. Senator John Hoeven added that Beijing was “using farmers as leverage” in trade talks, urging steps to shield producers. Republican frustration has grown as farm communities that supported Trump in 2024 are squeezed by shrinking export markets and weaker federal safety nets.
Argentina has recently stepped in to sell soybeans to China, sidelining U.S. suppliers, even as Washington plans a $20bn swap line for Buenos Aires. Trump has pledged tariff revenues will be used to aid U.S. farmers, with details of new support measures expected in coming weeks.
The U.S. and China are in a trade détente until November after lowering tariffs, with Trump and Xi due to meet at the APEC summit in late October. Perdue declined to detail his private remarks to lawmakers but said both sides remain engaged on a deal.
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Info via Bloomberg.
