As a sixth-generation Iowan, I know how much is riding on harvest season. This year, Iowa farmers are delivering one of the best harvests in memory — but without stable prices and open markets, they’re flying blind on whether or not they’ll turn a profit.
Zoom in: Iowa’s soybean crop could top 500 million bushels this year. That’s one of the best in recent history. But without stable markets, many farmers fear they could still end up in the red.
The problem: After being one of our biggest buyers last year, China was suddenly poised to walk away from U.S. soybeans entirely. That move threatened to cut off one of Iowa farmers’ most critical export markets.
I joined BBC World to break down China’s tactics ahead of President Trump’s meeting with CCP President Xi. ⬇️
The good news: Fresh off a series of trade wins on his Asia trip, President Trump sat down with President Xi yesterday to hammer out the final details of a trade deal — and he delivered.
Before the meeting, I joined Senator Ernst in sending a letter to the administration laying out clear expectations: fair market access and firm commitments from China to buy U.S. soybeans.
This deal delivers both:
🇨🇳 China committed to purchasing 25 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans per year
📈 Soybean prices jumped after President Trump announced the deal
🌍 New export commitments from other countries total an extra 700 million bushels
Restoring trade with China — and new global buyers stepping up — is finally delivering the stability Iowa producers asked for and our office fought to achieve.
Bottom Line: Iowa farmers had a record harvest. We’re fighting against unfair trade practices to open markets, so Iowa agriculture products can keep feeding and fueling the world.