How the US-China Trade War is Devastating Minnesota’s Family Farms and Soybean Industry
The ongoing US-China trade war has severely impacted Minnesota’s family farms and its vital soybean industry, causing billions in losses and disrupting long-standing global trade partnerships. As soybeans make up about 60% of Minnesota’s agricultural exports, the tariffs and trade tensions have led to a sharp decline in soybean sales, with China—the state’s largest buyer—dramatically reducing purchases. This disruption not only threatens farmer incomes but also undermines rural communities and the state’s $10 billion agriculture export economy. Amid persistently low commodity prices, high input costs, and a shrinking global market for U.S. soybeans, Minnesota’s farmers face a challenging outlook as they harvest near-record crops with limited buyers. Restoring stable trade relations is crucial for reversing these losses and sustaining Minnesota’s agricultural future.


