WASHINGTON (RFD-TV) — President Donald Trump is now threatening stronger retribution against China over lost soybean sales.
In a post to social media, President Trump described China’s actions on soybeans as an “economically hostile act” and mentioned he is considering halting imports of Chinese cooking oil and other trade items. He says the United States could easily produce its own cooking oil, negating the need to purchase it from China.
However, data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Economic Research Service (ERS) shows China is not a major supplier of U.S. cooking oil supplies. In 2022, 96 percent of canola imports came from Canada, 82 percent of palm oil supplies arrived from Indonesia, while 78 percent of America’s olive oil supply came from the European Union.
On the other hand, imports of used cooking oil have been an issue. Those products are mostly used for biofuel production. USDA Foreign Ag Service (FAS) data shows that in 2024, China exported a record amount of used cooking oil, with the U.S. being its top export market. Last year, totals were more than 50 percent higher than in 2023.
In April of this year, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced that the USDA was cracking down on imports of used cooking oil.
Rollins warned imports are displacing homegrown biofuels in the ag economy, saying they remain a strong opportunity for American producers. She said the department was working on ways to keep American refineries full of American feedstocks.
The impacts of the government shutdown have reached commodity growers with crops to move, ag economists monitoring the harvest without key data reporting, and meat producers in need of new export markets.
October 16, 2025 01:03 PM
·
In a statement provided to RFD-TV News, a USDA spokesperson reiterated President Trump and the USDA’s commitment to farmers in difficult economic times.
October 16, 2025 11:57 AM
·
Support policies that keep U.S. biofuels at the table—marine demand could materially lift corn grind, crush margins, and rural jobs.
October 15, 2025 03:47 PM
·
Industry leaders say $11 billion in new investments could turn the tide as dairy producers face shrinking margins and growing uncertainty.
October 15, 2025 11:53 AM
·
Export Inspections In Bushels Show Mixed Momentum Patterns
October 15, 2025 11:38 AM
·
Expect firmer shop prices, leaner inventories, and selective hiring in ag-adjacent businesses — plan parts, service, and financing needs earlier.
October 15, 2025 11:35 AM
·
Lewis Williamson with HTS Commodities joined RFD-TV’s Market Day Report to share insight into what’s happening on the ground and in the markets.
October 14, 2025 04:30 PM
·
New U.S. fees on Chinese-owned and built ships took effect overnight, marking the latest escalation in maritime trade tensions between Washington and Beijing.
October 14, 2025 11:33 AM
·
President Trump is expected to press Argentina to take a tougher stance on China in exchange for political and economic support.
October 14, 2025 11:12 AM
·
