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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Soybeans: China’s new bargaining chip in trade war with US?

Soybeans: China’s new bargaining chip in trade war with US?