Beijing’s decision not to retaliate against US soyabean imports following President Donald Trump’s most recent trade measures has kept in reserve a measure that would be sure to hurt American farmers and Chinese consumers alike.
Beijing’s counter-tariffs announced on Friday included sectors from nuts to pork and steel pipe that were carefully calibrated towards sectors that are unlikely to hurt domestic consumers. Indeed many of the sectors, such as pork, are already oversupplied in China.
Retaliating against soyabean shipments would have a big impact on US farmers, many of whom hail from states that voted for Mr Trump. China is one of the biggest markets for US soyabeans, with the country importing $14bn-worth of the foodstuff last year. More than a third of the soyabeans consumed in China are imported from the US.