House Democrats Say Trade War Making Soybean Farmers Collateral Damage
Rep. Sean Casten, a Democrat from the top soybean-producing state, Illinois, led a letter with 36 other Democrats asking President Donald Trump to terminate the reciprocal tariffs and fentanyl tariffs he levied under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
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"Your trade policies have significantly impacted U.S. soybean farmers and hurt our nation’s agricultural competitiveness. Furthermore, your Administration’s $20 billion taxpayer-funded bailout for Argentina -- one of our leading soybean export competitors -- further compounds the pain that our farmers are currently feeling," the members wrote.
They noted that in 2024, Chinese customers purchased $12.6 billion worth of soybeans from the U.S., more than half the crop's exports. "However, in response to the tariffs you imposed earlier this year, China levied retaliatory tariffs on U.S. imports and has halted all U.S. soybean purchases since May. As a result, American farmers are at risk of becoming collateral damage in your trade war," they wrote.