从大豆到食用油，怎么回事

Core Viewpoint - The U.S. is considering stopping imports of edible oil from China as a retaliatory measure against China's reduced purchases of U.S. soybeans, which could lead to a loss of 16 million tons of soybean orders for the U.S. [1] Group 1: U.S.-China Trade Dynamics - The U.S. claims that China's refusal to buy American soybeans is causing difficulties for U.S. soybean farmers, prompting the consideration of halting edible oil imports from China [1] - China is the world's largest consumer of edible oil, making the U.S. strategy of stopping imports a complex issue [1] - In 2024, China's exports of edible oil to the U.S. are projected to be around 4,000 tons, valued at approximately $1 million, indicating limited impact on China's edible oil industry if the U.S. halts imports [4] Group 2: Nature of U.S. Imports from China - The U.S. primarily imports waste cooking oil from China, which is processed for use as biodiesel and other renewable energy sources, rather than traditional edible oils [5][6] - In 2024, China is expected to export over 1 million tons of waste cooking oil to the U.S., valued at over $1 billion, highlighting the significance of this trade [6] Group 3: Impact on U.S. Soybean Farmers - The U.S. soybean export structure is heavily reliant on whole soybeans, with 78% of exports being whole beans, while soybean meal and oil account for only 21% and 1%, respectively [13] - The reduction in Chinese purchases could create a significant gap in the U.S. soybean market, as China is the primary buyer of U.S. whole soybeans [13][15] - U.S. farmers are facing challenges in finding alternative markets for their soybeans, leading to price declines and a difficult situation for the agricultural sector [18]