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ASA monitoring tariff suggestions under second Trump admin

Photo by Mark Dorenkamp/Brownfield

A leader with the American Soybean Association says U.S. soy growers are in a better position to face another potential trade conflict with China.

Virginia Houston, director of government affairs, says there was a tariff war with China under the first Trump administration.

“Now there are concerns that there could be a renewed tariff conflict with President Trump going back into office. It’s something our growers are concerned with. Tariffs hurt us the first time around, but the industry is looking at ways to better prepare ourselves should a conflict arise this time.”

She tells Brownfield the soy industry is much more diversified in its trading portfolio this go-round.

“China is still our largest export market. The size of the market is not going to change, but we’ve done a lot of work since 2018 at developing new markets and expanding existing markets to try to find ways to put eggs in different baskets, so to speak.”

Houston says ASA doesn’t support the use of tariffs as a negotiation tactic. “We really want to ensure that no matter what happens our farmers retain market access in export markets that are important for U.S. soybeans.”

She says Brazil and Argentina would benefit the most from a potential U.S.-China trade war.

INTERVIEW: ASA’s Virginia Houston 11-22-2024