Core Points - President Trump's threat to halt imports of Chinese cooking oil is seen as an economic hostile act, but analysts suggest it will have minimal market impact due to the already declining trade volume between the U.S. and China in this sector [1][3] - The U.S. has become a significant importer of used cooking oil (UCO) from China, with exports reaching a record 1.27 million tons valued at approximately $1.2 billion in 2024, but recent trade tensions have led to a sharp decline in UCO imports [3][4] - The value of soybean trade between the U.S. and China is significantly higher than that of cooking oil, with soybean exports projected at $24.58 billion in 2024, highlighting the critical nature of this trade relationship [4][7] Trade Dynamics - China's UCO exports to the U.S. have dropped by 65% from January to August 2023, falling to 290,000 tons valued at $28.67 million, as Chinese exporters shift focus to Europe and domestic markets [3][4] - The U.S. soybean market is under pressure due to China's pivot to South American suppliers, with potential losses estimated at 14 to 16 million tons if China does not resume purchases by mid-November [4][7] - U.S. farmers are facing financial strain, with increased costs for fertilizers and equipment due to tariffs, leading to a rise in farm bankruptcies by approximately 50% compared to the previous year [7][8] Market Reactions - Analysts indicate that Trump's threats have not affected UCO pricing, as the market has already adjusted to reduced U.S. demand [3][4] - The flexibility of China's trade system allows it to expand relations with South American countries, which are now major suppliers of soybeans to China [8][9] - The Chinese government maintains a consistent stance on trade issues, emphasizing that trade wars yield no winners and advocating for negotiations based on mutual respect [9]