US President Donald Trump, on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, indicated that Washington is considering taking strong measures against China, including possibly terminating certain trade ties, particularly related to cooking oil.
Speaking on social media, Trump criticised China for reducing purchases of US soybeans, calling it an “economically hostile act” that harms American farmers.
He suggested that the US can produce cooking oil domestically and does not need to rely on Chinese imports.
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China Largest Buyer of Soybean Oil
Trump’s comments come amid a broader context of strained US-China trade relations. China, the world’s largest buyer of soybeans, has in recent months sharply cut its purchases of US soy, preferring to source from Brazil and Argentina instead.
Trump described this reduction in purchases as a negotiation tactic by China and stressed that the US may halt a significant portion of imports from China if the situation continues.
The US president has previously implemented a series of tariff orders on billions of dollars of Chinese goods, citing concerns over the trade deficit, the loss of American manufacturing, and the illegal fentanyl trade.
Trump has consistently used tariffs as a tool to pressure Beijing to address what he sees as unfair trade practices.
His latest comments suggest that Washington may be considering additional trade restrictions specifically targeting sectors like cooking oil, as a form of retribution.
Read More: China warns US against pressure tactics, says talks must be held on equal terms amid fresh tariff dispute
US-China Trade Tension
Trade tensions between the two nations have been ongoing for years, covering a wide range of issues, including tariffs, technology transfers, human rights, and global security concerns.
Under Trump’s tenure, the US and China clashed over tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars of goods, with both sides imposing reciprocal duties.
The tensions have also extended beyond trade, encompassing geopolitical disputes over Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Ukraine, as well as debates over the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic.
