ASA President Metzger Addresses Trade Concerns Impacting US Soybean Producers

Soybean farmers still feeling impact of trade war with China despite recent Supreme Court ruling

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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At the Commodity Classic conference in San Antonio, American Soybean Association (ASA) President Scott Metzger discussed the ongoing challenges facing US soybean producers, including the lingering effects of the trade war with China and uncertainty around new tariffs. Metzger expressed cautious optimism about renewed Chinese purchases of US soybeans, but said the focus is also on expanding domestic uses like biodiesel to help offset lost export markets.

Why it matters

The US soybean industry has been hit hard by the trade dispute with China, which was one of the largest buyers of US soybeans. Metzger's comments highlight the continued pressure on soybean farmers and the need to find new markets and uses for the crop to offset lost exports.

The details

Metzger said soybean farmers were initially pleased with a recent Supreme Court ruling that limited the President's ability to impose tariffs, but that optimism was short-lived after President Trump announced new 10-15% tariffs. This has put producers "right back in the crosshairs of uncertainty." While China has purchased 12 million metric tons of US soybeans this year, that's only about half of normal levels. Metzger said the focus is now on expanding domestic uses for soybeans, including increased production of biodiesel.

  • In 2022, the US and China were engaged in a trade war that impacted soybean exports.
  • In 2023, the Supreme Court ruled to limit the President's ability to impose tariffs.
  • In 2026, the Commodity Classic conference was held in San Antonio.

The players

Scott Metzger

President of the American Soybean Association.

President Trump

The former US President who initiated tariffs that led to the trade war with China.

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What they’re saying

“We were pleased with the Supreme Court's decision because with the IEEPA (International Emergency Economic Powers Act) tariffs, those were coming back to hurt us. [Those tariffs] were putting more money on our inputs—and already in a time when we're in a super-tight margin economy at the farm. We were not real happy that [President Trump] came back and introduced another 10-15 percent round of tariffs. We're hoping we can work through that and get through it.”

— Scott Metzger, President, American Soybean Association (Hoosier Ag Today)

“We were pleased with that. Obviously, 12 million metric tons is roughly half of where we're normally at. It's a good starting point. We'll be a lot better when we see beans on the boat going over there.”

— Scott Metzger, President, American Soybean Association (Hoosier Ag Today)

What’s next

The US Department of Agriculture is expected to release new regulations around biofuel requirements in mid-March, which could further boost domestic demand for soybeans.

The takeaway

The US soybean industry continues to grapple with the lingering effects of the trade war with China, forcing producers to seek out new domestic markets and uses for their crop to offset lost export opportunities. While some progress has been made, significant uncertainty remains around trade policy and its impact on this vital agricultural sector.