A leading voice from the U.S. soybean sector has urged Washington to prioritize enforcement of existing trade commitments with China, warning that renewed tariff disputes could once again deal a heavy blow to American farmers.
Josh Gackle, president of the American Soybean Association and a soybean farmer from North Dakota, testified this week before the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) during a public hearing reviewing China’s compliance with the 2020 U.S.–China Phase One Agreement. The hearing was held as part of a Section 301 investigation, which is assessing whether Beijing has fully met its obligations under the deal.
In his testimony, Gackle emphasized that while accountability is essential, reopening a trade war would carry significant risks for U.S. agriculture. He called on USTR to focus on enforcing the commitments already on the books rather than escalating tensions through new tariffs or punitive measures.
Soybeans, Gackle noted, remain the largest agricultural export of the United States, with China continuing to play a central role in the market. During the 2023–2024 marketing year, China purchased nearly 25 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans, valued at approximately $13 billion. Those shipments accounted for more than half of total U.S. soybean exports, underscoring the sector’s heavy reliance on stable trade relations with Beijing.
Gackle warned that history offers a clear lesson. During the previous U.S.–China trade war, retaliatory tariffs led to a 76% collapse in the value of U.S. soybean exports to China, inflicting widespread financial damage across rural America. According to industry estimates cited in his remarks, the dispute ultimately cost U.S. agriculture more than $27 billion.
“When trade breaks down, soybean farmers are the first to feel it,” Gackle told the panel. He added that many producers are already operating under tight margins, facing elevated input costs and volatile commodity prices. In that environment, renewed trade uncertainty could further strain farm incomes and undermine long-term planning.
Gackle cautioned that any new tariffs imposed on Chinese goods could once again provoke retaliation against U.S. agricultural exports, reopening a cycle of uncertainty that the sector has worked for years to overcome. As the Section 301 review continues, soybean growers are urging policymakers to balance enforcement with stability, stressing that predictable market access is critical for the future of U.S. agriculture.
