U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday that Washington is weighing the decision to sever certain trade links with China, specifically those related to cooking oil.
In a social media statement, President Donald Trump alleged that China was intentionally reducing its purchases of U.S. soybeans to harm American farmers, describing the move as an “economically hostile act.” Trump noted that Washington is weighing the possibility of ending trade with China involving cooking oil and other commodities as a form of retaliation.
He also added that the U.S. is capable of producing cooking oil by itself, making imports from China unnecessary.
Meanwhile, Trump signaled he hoped to discuss soybean trade with Chinese President Xi Jinping this month, while also warning that Washington might halt significant imports from China.
China, the world’s largest buyer of soybeans, has recently shifted much of its purchasing toward suppliers in Brazil and Argentina, a move widely seen as the result of ongoing trade tensions and tariffs between Beijing and Washington.
Since returning to the office, Trump has escalated tariffs on billions of dollars’ worth of Chinese goods, aiming to address the U.S. trade deficit, revive domestic manufacturing, and curb fentanyl-related imports.
Tensions between the two global powers remain high, with disputes not only over tariffs, but also technology, human rights, and geopolitical flashpoints including Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Ukraine.
