China Bans Imports Of Soybeans, Logs From U.S. Firms

China has halted soybean imports from three U.S. entities, further escalating trade tensions between the world’s two largest economies, Hallie Gu reported for Bloomberg News.

About half of U.S. soybean exports are shipped to China, totaling nearly $12.8 billion in trade in 2024,

China’s General Administration of Customs announced late Tuesday that it had revoked qualifications for soybean exports from CHS Inc., Louis Dreyfus Company Grains Merchandising LLC, and EGT LLC. In a separate statement, the government also suspended log imports from the U.S., citing pests found in shipments.

Earlier, China imposed additional tariffs on American agricultural products, including:

• A 15% tariff on U.S. chicken, wheat, corn, and cotton.

• An extra 10% levy on U.S. soybeans, sorghum, pork, beef, seafood, fruits, vegetables, and dairy imports.

These new tariffs will take effect on March 10.

About half of U.S. soybean exports are shipped to China, totaling nearly $12.8 billion in trade in 2024, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Earlier, China imposed additional import levies on $21 billion worth of U.S. agricultural and food products, including soybeans, wheat, meat, and cotton.

According to Reuters reporters Mei Mei Chu and Ella Cao, China justified the suspension of U.S. soybean imports by citing the detection of ergot (a toxic grain fungus) and seed coating agents.

Meanwhile, the ban on U.S. lumber imports was attributed to the presence of small worms, Aspergillus mold, and other pests.

Beijing’s retaliatory measures come in response to President Trump’s decision to impose an additional 10% duty on Chinese imports—bringing the total tariff to 20%—due to what the White House claims is Beijing’s failure to curb illicit drug flows into the U.S