US soybean farmers urge Trump to ‘choose partnership, not pressure’ ahead of Xi meeting
US farmers say Trump administration must tone down name-calling and aggressive tactics if they are to secure a lasting soy deal with China
As the harvest season slips by with no orders from China and rising input costs – from equipment to fertiliser – farmers say partnership, not strong-arming Beijing, would serve both sides better.
Many voiced frustration at Washington’s failure to design tariffs that spared their livelihoods, saying they had expected Trump to act faster on the issue.
“I don’t think we could force the Chinese to do anything. I don’t think that’s the approach we need,” said David Burrier, a third-generation farmer from Maryland, just a few miles away from Washington.
Describing China as a “good partner”, he stressed “it’s got to be a relationship or partnership that works for everyone.”
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