How China Weaponized Soybeans in Trade Dispute With the US

Soybeans have been a flashpoint in the trade war between the US and China, the world’s largest importer of the oilseed. To begin the new harvest season, the East Asian nation boycotted American soybeans. After a flurry of orders from China in late October – which coincided with a larger trade agreement brokered by the two countries – China’s purchases of US soybeans again stalled.

The downturn in buying has been costly for US growers, who depend on China to buy a big share of their crop. China has instead pivoted more toward South American producers, such as Brazil and Argentina.