Cargill CEO sees risk to US farmers as China shuns soybeans

Sep 26, 2018 at 02:13 PM CST
President Donald Trump’s trade war with China may have a lasting impact on American agriculture if it drags on, with the Asian nation already halting U.S. soybean purchases, according to the head of Cargill Inc. A long-term dispute could shift perception of the U.S. as a reliable trade partner and prompt China, the world’s largest importer of soybeans and the biggest buyer from the U.S, to turn to other sources of protein to feed its chickens, pork and other livestock, Chief Executive Officer David MacLennan said. That could squeeze U.S. growers out of the industry.

Sep 26, 2018 at 02:13 PM CST

President Donald Trump’s trade war with China may have a lasting impact on American agriculture if it drags on, with the Asian nation already halting U.S. soybean purchases, according to the head of Cargill Inc.

A long-term dispute could shift perception of the U.S. as a reliable trade partner and prompt China, the world’s largest importer of soybeans and the biggest buyer from the U.S, to turn to other sources of protein to feed its chickens, pork and other livestock, Chief Executive Officer David MacLennan said. That could squeeze U.S. growers out of the industry.