Soybeans: America’s Export Powerhouse Under Pressure

Soybeans have always been a backbone of American agriculture, but the trade war initiated by the Trump administration hit this crop especially hard. China, the world’s largest soybean importer, slapped a 25% tariff on U.S. soybeans in 2018. This move was in direct response to U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods, and it sent shockwaves through American farming communities. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, soybean exports to China plummeted by over 70% in 2018 compared to the previous year. Farmers faced surplus stockpiles and falling prices, sometimes dipping below the cost of production. Many had to rely on government bailouts just to stay afloat. The uncertainty led to anxiety and tough choices for countless farming families.
Pork: Once a Booming Export, Now Facing Uncertainty

The U.S. pork industry thrived on exports, especially to China, but tariffs as high as 62% during the trade war put a wrench in the system. Producers watched as their access to the world’s largest pork market shrank dramatically. According to industry estimates, pork exports to China dropped by about one-third in the first year of tariffs. Prices in the domestic market fell as unsold pork flooded storage facilities. Farmers had to make the difficult decision of cutting production or facing financial losses. The National Pork Producers Council estimated that retaliatory tariffs cost U.S. pork producers over $1 billion. The industry’s roller-coaster ride has left a lingering sense of vulnerability.
Cheese: Dairy Farmers Feel the Squeeze

American cheese found itself at the center of the trade war, with key buyers like Mexico and China imposing tariffs of up to 25%. According to the U.S. Dairy Export Council, cheese exports dropped by 21% to China between 2017 and 2019. The impact rippled across dairy farms, as surplus cheese stockpiled in warehouses, reaching an all-time high by mid-2019. Prices tumbled, and many small dairy farmers struggled to survive. Some family operations, running for generations, were forced to close their doors. The uncertainty in global trade relationships is still a cloud over the industry.
Almonds: California’s Nutty Dilemma

California produces over 80% of the world’s almonds, and China is one of its biggest customers. When China raised tariffs on U.S. almonds to 50%, sales took a hit. Almond exports to China fell by nearly 25% in the first year of the new tariffs, according to trade data. Growers faced a glut of unsold nuts, pushing prices down and squeezing profits. Many farmers started looking for new markets in India and the Middle East, but the loss of a major buyer like China was deeply felt. This shake-up forced the almond industry to rethink its global strategy.
Apples: A Bite Taken Out by Tariffs

Apples, especially those grown in Washington State, are a major American export. But with China and India both slapping hefty tariffs on U.S. apples, growers saw their overseas sales tumble. According to the U.S. Apple Association, exports to China fell by more than 40% in 2018. At the same time, domestic prices dropped due to oversupply. Growers faced tough choices: let fruit rot on trees or sell at a loss. The ripple effects hit local economies and packing facilities, too. The trade war turned what should have been a fruitful season into a bitter one.
Wheat: Hard Times in the Heartland

Wheat farmers in the Midwest faced their own set of challenges as the trade war unfolded. China imposed a 25% tariff on U.S. wheat, pushing buyers to turn instead to Russia, Canada, and Australia. U.S. wheat exports to China fell to almost zero in 2019, according to USDA figures. Domestic wheat prices slumped, leading to reduced planting and lower farm incomes. The uncertainty of losing such a large export market made it tough for farmers to plan ahead. For many, the trade war was a storm that left scars long after the headlines faded.
Beef: Hopes Dashed by Higher Tariffs

The U.S. beef industry saw China as a promising market, especially after China lifted a 14-year ban on U.S. beef in 2017. That optimism was short-lived when retaliatory tariffs hit, raising import duties on American beef to 37%. According to the U.S. Meat Export Federation, beef exports to China dropped by nearly 20% in 2019. Ranchers who had invested in expanding their herds were left scrambling. Many shifted their focus to other markets, but the loss of China as a growth engine hurt. The beef industry’s dreams of a booming export future turned into a struggle to find new buyers.
Wine: A Sour Note for Vineyards

American wineries, especially those in California, were caught in the crossfire of tariff battles. China raised tariffs on U.S. wine to a staggering 93%, making it almost impossible for American wine to compete. Exports to China dropped by 33% in 2018, according to the Wine Institute. Small and mid-sized wineries, which rely on exports for growth, felt the pain most. Many had to scale back production, lay off workers, or focus on domestic sales. The trade war left a bitter aftertaste for winemakers hoping to expand abroad.
Cranberries: Thanksgiving Staple Under Threat

Cranberries may be a Thanksgiving favorite, but their fate was tangled in trade tensions. China and the European Union both targeted cranberries with tariffs as high as 40%. The U.S. Cranberry Marketing Committee reported that exports to China fell by 80% in 2019. With fewer export options, prices dropped and growers faced a surplus. Some resorted to selling at a loss or reducing their harvests. The uncertainty made it difficult to plan for future seasons, leaving growers anxious about their livelihoods.
Lobster: From Ocean to Obstacle Course

Maine lobster became an unlikely casualty in the trade war when China imposed a 25% tariff on U.S. lobster. According to state data, exports to China plummeted from $128 million in 2018 to just $50 million in 2019. Lobstermen watched as Canadian competitors took their place in Chinese markets. Many Maine businesses had to cut staff or reduce fishing trips. The sudden loss of a lucrative market left a deep sense of frustration and uncertainty along the coast.
Peanuts: Crunch Time for Farmers

Peanuts, a staple crop in Georgia and other southern states, also got caught in the trade war’s crosshairs. China and the EU both imposed new tariffs, causing a 30% drop in U.S. peanut exports in 2019, according to industry reports. Farmers faced mounting stockpiles and falling prices as their goods became less competitive overseas. Many turned to government aid programs to weather the storm. The peanut industry, which had enjoyed years of steady growth, suddenly faced a crunch.
Oranges: Squeezed by Global Tensions

Florida and California oranges are famous worldwide, but not immune to tariff troubles. China and the EU imposed tariffs of up to 25% on U.S. citrus, and exports to China dropped by over half in 2019, according to the USDA. Growers faced a double whammy: lost sales and lower prices at home. Some had to let fruit rot or sell at a loss. Packing houses and truckers felt the pain too. The trade war left the orange industry squeezed from all sides.
Rice: Short Grain, Short Markets

U.S. rice, especially popular in Asian markets, faced new barriers as China and the EU imposed tariffs of up to 45%. Exports to China, which had just begun after years of negotiations, immediately stalled. According to the USA Rice Federation, shipments to China dropped by 70% in 2019. Farmers in Arkansas and Louisiana saw unsold rice pile up, and prices dropped. The trade war turned a long-awaited opportunity into a setback for the rice industry.
Grapes: Sour Grapes for Exporters

American table grapes, mostly grown in California, were hit with tariffs from China, Mexico, and Canada. Exports to China fell by 38% in 2019, according to the California Table Grape Commission. Growers suddenly faced a glut of unsold grapes and slumping prices. Many had to rethink their planting strategies, while some considered switching crops altogether. The shake-up upended years of steady growth in the grape industry.
Cherries: Summer’s Favorite Fruit Faces a Frosty Reception

Cherries, especially those from Washington State, are a summer treat in China. But tariffs of up to 50% turned a hot market cold. According to the Northwest Cherry Growers, exports to China fell by more than 50% in 2018. Growers scrambled to find new buyers but couldn’t make up for the lost sales. Some left fruit unharvested, while others sold at a loss. The trade war cast a long shadow over what should have been a sweet season.