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.
From rising trade tensions in Europe to a pending Supreme Court decision on tariffs and shifting demand from China, global trade policy spearheaded by President Donald Trump continues to shape the outlook for U.S. agriculture—adding uncertainty as farmers navigate another volatile year.
January 20, 2026 01:14 PM
·
The Surface Transportation Board rejects the proposed Norfolk Southern–Union Pacific merger, prompting concerns from agricultural shippers about rail consolidation, service reliability, and higher transportation costs.
January 20, 2026 12:25 PM
·
Freight volatility and route selection remain critical to soybean export margins and competitiveness.
January 19, 2026 04:00 PM
·
While short-term volatility remains a risk, softer ocean freight rates in 2026 could improve export margins.
January 18, 2026 12:00 PM
·
Trade volatility and shifting export destinations increase marketing risk for producers heading into 2026.
January 18, 2026 07:00 AM
·
RFD NEWS Correspondent Frank McCaffrey speaks with Texas’s Sen. Ted Cruz and Rep. Vicente Gonzalez about USMCA renegotiation and its impact on U.S.–Mexico agriculture trade.
January 17, 2026 05:00 PM
·
Shaun Haney joined us to discuss Canada’s new trade agreement with China, the potential impact on farmers and exporters, and what it could mean for U.S.–Canada trade relations going forward.
January 16, 2026 01:16 PM
·
National Corn Growers Association Chief Economist Krista Swanson discusses corn supply pressures, market fundamentals, policy considerations, and producer outlook for the year ahead.
January 16, 2026 01:13 PM
·
The proposal signals a renewed push to offset tariff-driven losses, stabilize nutrition programs, and broaden eligibility for farm aid, though its path forward will depend on congressional negotiations.
January 16, 2026 11:58 AM
·
