China to boost food imports from Latin America, Europe amid trade war

STORY: China’s new tariffs on U.S. farm goods are poised to reshape global trade flows.

The country retaliated swiftly on Tuesday against fresh U.S. duties, announcing hikes of 10% and 15% to import levies covering $21 billion worth of American agricultural goods.

Now China, world’s top agricultural importer, will need to source more meat, dairy and grains from countries in South America, Europe and the Pacific.

Analysts and industry officials say shipments to China from key soybean supplier Brazil, top wheat exporter Australia, and major pork supplier Europe, could surge as a trade war hots up.

China is the largest market for U.S. farm exports.

It took over $29 billion worth of products in 2024.

So any shift in trade flows could create opportunities for rival exporters.

That would continue a trend in which China has curbed dependence on U.S. agriculture since the trade war during President Donald Trump’s first term.

European and South American meat shipments to China are expected to rise as a result.

But China’s reliance on the US for chicken feet is likely to continue.

Experts say alternatives would be difficult to source fully and quickly.

About half of U.S. soybean exports go to China.

The latest tariff on U.S. soybeans heralds even greater reliance on Brazil and Argentina.