By Mei Mei Chu

BEIJING (Reuters)

Since the U.S. and China imposed tit-for-tat tariffs during Donald Trump's first presidential term, China has sought to reduce its reliance on American farm goods to bolster food security.

This strategy positions China better against tariffs of at least 60% on imports threatened by Trump, who might return to the White House in January, suggesting possible retaliation aimed at U.S. agricultural products.

In his first term, Trump imposed duties on $370 billion worth of Chinese goods, provoking Beijing to retaliate with up to 25% tariffs on over $100 billion of U.S. products, including soybeans, beef, pork, wheat, corn, and sorghum.

Since then, the share of China's soybean imports from the U.S. has dropped from 40% in 2016 to 18% in 2024, as China increasingly turns to Brazil, now its top corn supplier.

China's agricultural imports from the U.S. fell to $34 billion in 2023 from $43 billion in 2022 and are projected to decline further this year, according to Chinese customs data.

Timeline of China's Agricultural Adjustments:

• Aug. 5, 2019: China halts U.S. agricultural purchases in retaliation for tariffs.
• Jan. 16, 2020: Trump and Chinese Vice Premier Liu He sign a “Phase One” trade agreement, committing China to increase American goods purchases by $200 billion, including $32 billion in agriculture.
• 2021: China begins commercial trials for genetically-modified corn and soybeans.
• April 29, 2021: China enacts anti-food waste law, banning binge-eating videos to prevent grain wastage.
• Feb. 1, 2022: U.S. trade official announces China's failure to meet “Phase 1” trade deal commitments, with a shortfall of around $13 billion.
• Feb. 4, 2022: China permits imports of wheat and barley from all Russian regions.
• March 7, 2022: Xi Jinping emphasizes self-reliance for food security.
• May 25, 2022: China opens its market to Brazilian corn.
• June 28, 2022: China enacts a soil conservation law to protect crop yields in key provinces.
• April 14, 2023: China aims to reduce soymeal ratios in animal feed to less than 13% by 2025.
• May 4, 2023: Approval of a new variety of gene-edited soybeans to enhance yields.
• Dec. 26, 2023: Licenses issued for 26 seed companies to produce and sell genetically modified corn and soybeans.
• April 9, 2024: Initiative launched to boost grain production by over 50 million metric tons by 2030.
• May 9, 2024: Approval of gene-edited wheat.
• May 28, 2024: China allows imports of Argentine genetically-modified corn.
• June 3, 2024: First food security law enacted to ensure self-sufficiency in staple grain and food production.
• Oct. 25, 2024: Action plan initiated for smart farming and precision agriculture to increase food output.

China's agriculture ministry anticipates exceeding 700 million metric tons of grain production in 2024.