Argentina’s soy exports to China surge amid US tensions

Buenos Aires, September 30, 2025 – Argentina’s soybean export orders soared to a seven-year high this month as Chinese importers purchased millions of tons of the crop during a temporary suspension of export taxes, securing over half of their near-term needs from South America. The tax break made Argentine soybeans more competitive, shifting demand away from traditional suppliers.

The surge has unsettled the Trump administration, where divisions are growing over Argentine President Javier Milei’s closer ties with Beijing. Many Republicans view this as a direct blow to US farmers, who typically supply China with soybeans, especially amid recent US financial support for Argentina.

Tensions surfaced when a photographer captured US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reading a text message about the deals during the UN General Assembly in New York last week. The image, widely circulated in Argentine media, highlighted the diplomatic friction between Washington and Buenos Aires.

The message, likely forwarded by Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins (signed “BR”), quoted Iowa grain trader Ben Scholl, who expressed anger: “Heads up. I’m getting more intel, but this is highly unfortunate. We bailed out Argentina yesterday, and in return, they cut grain export tariffs, lowering prices for China when we’d normally be selling.”

This development underscores the complex geopolitical and economic dynamics in global agricultural trade.

Tags: USA, Argentina, China, soybean