China Halts US Soybean Imports for First Time Since 2018 Amid Tariff Row
US soybean exports to China plummet amid escalating trade war tensions.
In a bold retaliation against US President Donald Trump's tariffs, China has completely halted soybean imports from the United States for September—the first such shutdown since November 2018. This dramatic move underscores the intensifying trade dispute between the world's two economic powerhouses, leaving American farmers staring at massive potential losses.
According to data released Monday by China's General Administration of Customs, US soybean shipments dropped to zero last month, down from 1.7 million metric tons in September 2024. The boycott stems from steep Chinese tariffs on American goods, combined with the exhaustion of pre-harvest US supplies, or "old-crop beans," that were snapped up earlier.
"This is mainly due to tariffs. In a typical year, some old-crop beans would still enter the market," explained Wan Chengzhi, an analyst at Capital Jingdu Futures. China, the globe's largest soybean importer, has pivoted sharply to South American suppliers, fueling a surge in shipments from Brazil and Argentina.
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Brazilian arrivals skyrocketed 29.9% year-over-year to 10.96 million tons, capturing 85.2% of China's total imports, while Argentine deliveries leaped 91.5% to 1.17 million tons, or 9% of the pie. Overall, China's September soybean imports hit a near-record 12.87 million metric tons, highlighting its strategic shift away from the US.
The snub extends to this autumn's US harvest, with no new purchases made as Chinese buyers lock in South American deals through November. Argentina's temporary tax break has further sweetened the deal for non-US sources. Without a swift trade resolution, experts warn of dire consequences on both sides.
"A soybean supply gap may emerge in China between February and April next year if there's no trade deal in place. Brazil has already shipped a huge volume, and no one knows how much old-crop stock remains," cautioned Johnny Xiang, founder of Beijing-based AgRadar Consulting. Yet, glimmers of hope flicker in ongoing negotiations. Trump, speaking Sunday, expressed optimism about sealing a soybean agreement soon, following a lull marked by tariff escalations and export curbs.
Year-to-date figures paint a mixed picture: China imported 16.8 million tons of US soybeans through September 2025, a 15.5% increase from last year, thanks to earlier buys. From Brazil, the tally reached 63.7 million tons (up 2.4%), and from Argentina, 2.9 million tons (up 31.8%). As talks heat up, the fate of US agriculture—and global food chains—hangs in the balance.
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