Why Soybeans Are Leverage for China in US Trade War: QuickTake

Soybeans have been a flashpoint in the trade war between the US and China. The East Asian nation, the world’s largest importer of the oilseed, hasn’t booked a single shipment from the US for the new harvest season.

That’s unusual — and costly for American growers, who depend on China to purchase a big share of their crop. China has instead pivoted more toward South American producers, such as Brazil and Argentina, while US farmers face overflowing storage bins and flat prices.

There could be a breakthrough on the horizon. Ahead of an expected meeting between Presidents Donald Trump ...