American soybean farmer Caleb Ragland, president of the American Soybean Association, has issued an urgent plea to U.S. President Donald Trump to resolve the ongoing trade dispute with China, warning of irreversible damage to agricultural communities across swing states.
"The longer the stalemate continues, the likelier China is to take its business elsewhere," Ragland wrote in The Free Press, emphasizing that nearly half a million U.S. soybean farmers rely on Chinese buyers. "This is a gamble with American livelihoods."
The call comes as China ramps up Brazilian soybean purchases, securing 40 cargo shipments this week alone – enough to cover a third of its monthly demand. Agricultural leaders warn the shift could become permanent, with Kenneth Hartman Jr. of the National Corn Growers Association stating farmers need "certainty" in global markets to survive.
New tariffs of 145% on Chinese goods have intensified pressure on rural economies, particularly in Trump-supporting states where soy exports contributed $12 billion annually pre-trade war. Economists estimate 10-15% of U.S. farms could face bankruptcy if the conflict extends into 2024 harvest seasons.
