The CEO of the American Soybean Export Association is interviewed by Global Times: Stable and predictable US China relations are crucial

In recent years, the development of Sino US economic and trade relations has always been a concern for American soybean farmers. Su Jian, CEO of the American Soybean Export Association, recently gave an exclusive interview to Global Times reporters, responding to issues such as the current situation of US soybean exports to China, the importance of the Chinese market, and the impact of US China economic and trade relations on the industry. He stated that China remains the most important export demand market for American soybeans, and American farmers are eager to continue supplying and maintaining long-term cooperative relationships with Chinese buyers.

When reviewing the performance of US soybean exports to China in 2025 and looking forward to the development prospects in 2026, Su Jian told Global Times reporters that in the 2024/25 market year, the total amount of US soybean exports to China will reach 22.6 million tons. For the export situation in 2026, Su Jian holds a cautiously optimistic attitude and expects that US soybean exports to China will remain stable at around 25 million tons per year.

Previously, the relationship between China and the United States was cooled down due to the excessive tariffs imposed by the United States, and China temporarily suspended the purchase of American soybeans. With the easing of trade relations between China and the United States, the two sides reached a consensus on expanding agricultural trade and other issues after the Kuala Lumpur economic and trade consultations. Bloomberg and Reuters reported in late January, citing informed traders, that China has fulfilled its US soybean procurement commitments in the past three months. In Su Jian's view, for the US soybean industry, the Chinese market is not only the largest export destination, but also the most irreplaceable customer in multiple aspects.

We have been in the Chinese market for over 40 years, and in the past few decades, China has always been the largest export market for US soybeans, typically absorbing about half of the US soybean exports each year, bringing billions of dollars in value to American farmers and the entire supply chain. He further stated that the US China soybean trade not only directly supports farm employment, but also brings a large number of jobs to rural communities, transportation, export terminals, and related service industries in the United States. At the same time, China also needs to import soybeans to meet the needs of its livestock, aquatic and food processing industries, and the two sides have formed a deep integration and mutually beneficial relationship. Su Jian said, "The US China soybean trade relationship is crucial for maintaining US agricultural income and economic opportunities, and ensuring China's food and feed security. For many years, I believe both countries have seen it as a truly win-win relationship. We hope to maintain this good momentum, which is also the driving force behind the continued deepening of the Chinese market by the American Soybean Export Association

On February 20th local time, the US Supreme Court made a ruling that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act did not authorize the President to impose large-scale tariffs, directly declaring the tariff measures previously introduced by the Trump administration based on the law illegal. According to Pro Farmer, a subsidiary of Farm Futures magazine in the United States, this ruling quickly sparked widespread market attention on the US China soybean trade, causing soybean futures to temporarily give up their gains and close slightly lower.

Su Jian bluntly stated that a stable and predictable US China economic and trade relationship is crucial for the US soybean industry. What currently inspires me is that agricultural trade, especially soybean trade, has always been included in the agenda of the high-level dialogue between China and the United States, and at the same time, there are signals of stabilization in the relationship between the two countries, "Su Jian said." When tariffs, countermeasures, and policy uncertainty intensify, US soybean exports to China will sharply decline, and this intense fluctuation makes it extremely difficult for farmers and exporters to plan for the future and invest

Su Jian also said, "For both countries, rule-based and predictable trade can enable businesses to invest in infrastructure, sustainable development, and innovation, ultimately benefiting consumers and producers in the United States, China, and around the world