The Bean at the Center of the Trade War

This episode of The Journal explores the impact of the trade war between the U.S. and China on American soybean farmers. China, the world's largest soy importer, has ceased purchasing U.S. soybeans as a retaliatory measure, leaving farmers like Scott Dierickx facing significant financial challenges. The episode details how China's demand for soybeans grew over the years, the infrastructure built to support exports, and China's recent efforts to diversify its sources and reduce its reliance on American soybeans. With a potentially record harvest looming and prices falling, farmers are struggling to find buyers and may face the prospect of losing money this year. The discussion also touches on potential government bailouts and the long-term implications of the trade war on the agricultural industry.