US-China Trade War Strains Soybean Farmers

Since May, China has effectively stopped buying U.S. soybeans after retaliatory tariffs, leaving growers across Missouri, Kansas, Wisconsin, North Dakota, Ohio and other states with mounting inventories and no orders. Prices have plunged while input costs have risen, pushing many producers into negative margins and an urgent cash crunch that some compare to the 1980s farm collapse. China has shifted purchases to South American suppliers, notably Brazil and Argentina, and U.S. grain infrastructure and contracts mean farmers cannot quickly pivot away from soybeans. Some growers say they may plant more corn or seek domestic outlets for soybeans (fuel, feed), but most contend that federal aid and restored trade are the only long-term remedies. The Trump administration has promised support and says it is negotiating with China, and farm leaders urge swift action to regain market share before harvest and marketing windows close.