36 House Democrats Urge Administration to End Tariff-Fueled Economic Assault on Soybean Farmers

Representative Emanuel Cleaver and 35 other House Democrats have sent a letter to the president urging him to end the tariffs that are devastating American soybean farmers. Soybeans are Missouri's largest commodity crop, with over five million acres dedicated to soybeans each year, providing $2.5 billion in economic value. The administration's tariffs have led to retaliatory tariffs from China and the suspension of U.S. soybean purchases, with China buying soybeans from Brazil and Argentina instead. This has put American farmers at risk of becoming collateral damage in the trade war.

Key Takeaways:

• The tariffs imposed by President Trump have led to a significant decline in U.S. soybean exports, with the value of exports to China plummeting from $14 billion in 2016 to $3.1 billion in 2018.
• The administration's decision to provide $20 billion in taxpayer money to bail out Argentina threatens the long-term access to foreign markets for U.S. producers.
• U.S. soybean farmers are facing higher input costs due to the tariff war, with some farmers already facing significant losses.
• The letter was signed by 36 House Democrats, representing a strong bipartisan effort to address the crisis facing American soybean farmers.
• The value of U.S. soybean exports to China has never fully recovered after the U.S. tariff war with China in President Trump's first term.
• The soybean industry is under threat, with farmers facing higher input costs and lower export prices due to the tariffs imposed by President Trump.

Statistics:

• Over five million acres of land in Missouri are dedicated to soybeans each year, providing $2.5 billion in economic value.
• The value of U.S. soybean exports to China declined from $14 billion in 2016 to $3.1 billion in 2018 due to the tariff war.
• China purchased $12.6 billion worth of U.S. soybeans in 2024, but has halted all purchases since May due to retaliatory tariffs.
• The administration plans to provide $20 billion in taxpayer money to bail out Argentina, threatening the long-term access to foreign markets for U.S. producers.
• Soybeans contribute over $31 billion to the U.S. economy during the 2023-2024 crop year.

Sources:

• Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, "Cleaver, 36 House Democrats Urge Administration to End Tariff-Fueled Economic Assault on Soybean Farmers" (October 17, 2024).
• Official Letter from Lawmakers available here.
• Rep. Cleaver's office, "Emanuel Cleaver II" (accessed October 17, 2024).