US President threatens to “retaliate” against China on soybean issue

US President Donald Trump on October 14 once again criticized China, saying that the country is "intentionally" not buying US soybeans and that he is considering "retaliatory" measures.

Farmers harvest soybeans in Iowa, USA. Photo: EPA-EFE/TTXVN

On social media, President Trump wrote that the US is considering ending business with China related to cooking oil and other trade elements as a response. He said that the US can easily produce cooking oil without having to buy it from China.

The comments come as the two countries are still planning a meeting between him and Chinese President Xi Jinping, despite a sudden escalation in bilateral trade tensions.

In early October, Mr. Trump said that China's suspension of purchases of American soybeans would be at the top of the agenda at his upcoming meeting with Mr. Xi Jinping in South Korea later this month.

US soybean producers have been hit hard by the trade war with China, the world's largest importer of the commodity.

China used to import more than half of America's soybeans, but has recently shifted to South American suppliers such as Brazil and Argentina, with no sign of an end to Mr. Trump's aggressive tariff strategy anytime soon.

Trade wars hurt everyone, and the recent developments are deeply disappointing at a time when soybean farmers are facing a growing financial crisis, said Caleb Ragland, president of the American Soybean Association.

Also on October 14, the Chinese Ministry of Transport issued the “Measures for the Implementation of Special Port Charges for US Ships”. The decision to start collecting charges from October 14, 2025.

China's Ministry of Transport affirmed that the implementation of the "special port fee for US ships" is a legitimate measure to protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese industries and enterprises, and maintain a fair competitive environment in the field of international maritime transport.

This measure was issued in the context of the US announcing on April 17, 2025 the results of the investigation under Section 301 on China's maritime, logistics and shipbuilding industries and declaring that from October 14, 2025, it will impose additional port service fees on ships owned, operated or built in China by Chinese enterprises, as well as on ships with Chinese nationality.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/kinh-te/tong-thong-my-doa-dap-tra-trung-quoc-ve-van-de-dau-tuong-20251015090903745.htm