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Trade Talk: Soy Growers Urge Administration to Rescind China Tariffs

Mar 29, 2018

In 2017, China imported $13.9 billion of U.S. soybeans, 61 percent of total U.S. exports and nearly one-third of annual soy production.

U.S. soy growers are very concerned about potential retaliation by China following President Donald Trump’s decision to impose approximately $60 billion in tariffs on Chinese products under the 301 investigations, as well as the 25 percent tariffs on steel imports and 10 percent tariffs on aluminum imports. The American Soybean Association (ASA) is working with Congress and the Administration to ensure continued positive trade with China.

Here’s a look at ASA leaders in the news discussing how tariffs could impact soy growers:

  • ASA President John Heisdorffer talks soybean grower concerns with Trump’s China tariffs and impact on ag industry via CNBC http://ow.ly/AKYs30j7raY
  • "Multiple reports indicate the Chinese have U.S. soybeans squarely in their sights for retaliation, and this decision places soybean farmers across the country in financial danger," said Iowa farmer and American Soybean Association President John Heisdorffer, via Los Angeles Times http://ow.ly/ytLH30j7nRK
  • "We don't want to lose the Chinese market to a competitor," says Ryan Findlay, American Soybean Association CEO, discussing the massive soybean market to China as farmers fear fallout from President Trump's tariffs plan, via CNBC http://ow.ly/weRO30j7oJ0
  • ASA's Rob Shaffer discusses how Trump's China tariffs will impact soybean growers if the country retaliates. China buys 1 in every 3 rows of U.S. soybeans,  via NBC Nightly News http://ow.ly/W5PV30j7ppZ
  • Farmers fear that soybeans, a $14 billion export to China last year, might be added to the hit list. “Agriculture has been the bright spot in the trade picture,” said Heisdorffer, who is president of the American Soybean Association. “We’ve nurtured that trade and expect it to keep increasing. We certainly don’t want to lose it.” via  Louis Post-Dispatch http://ow.ly/tTzH30jbdja
  • “A trade war could be the No. 1 negative impact on our farm in 2018,” ASA Director and Indiana soy grower Joe Steinkamp said via IndyStar http://ow.ly/m2rb30jbg82

Click here to read more about the work ASA is doing on trade.

Follow @ASA_Soybeans and #TradeTuesday #SoyLeaders to keep up to date on these issues and more.