In Salem, South Dakota, soybean farmer Andrew Streff spends 12-hour days in the combine this harvest, watching $2 per bushel losses pile up due to a tariff-fueled trade dispute with China.

"Our soybeans are the cheapest in the world," he said, "but they're not going to China - our biggest customer - because of this trade war."

Streff is among many Midwestern producers reeling from the impact of China's boycott of U.S. soybeans, a retaliatory move against President Donald Trump's revived tariffs. Not a single U.S. bushel has entered China in 2025, despite the country importing 120 million metric tons globally.

Prices have slumped from over $11 to $10 per bushel, and local rates in South Dakota are 80 cents to $1.35 lower than that, according to Jerry Schmitz, executive director of the South Dakota Soybean Association. The result? An estimated $250 million loss in income for South Dakota farmers.

During a Sept. 26 event in Rapid City, Senate Majority Leader John Thune acknowledged the strain on producers and confirmed talks with the White House about aid.

"China's not buying soybeans today, and the loss of markets has real consequences," said Thune. He suggested that, like during the last round of trade disputes in 2018-2019, the administration may redirect tariff revenue - projected at $171 billion this year - to assist farmers.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent echoed that sentiment in a CNBC interview, stating that farmers should "expect some news on Tuesday" regarding "substantial support," particularly for soybean growers.

Streff, who also works as a commodities broker, said many farmers hoped Trump would change his trade approach during his second term - but few are surprised by the aggressive stance.

"The U.S. elected someone who likes to pick fights with other countries," he said. "Now we're in the middle of it again."

Meanwhile, industry leaders are investing in domestic demand, including a $500 million soybean processing plant in Mitchell, focused on renewable diesel and animal feed. But even bold local projects can't match the void left by a country of 1.4 billion soy-fed pork consumers.

"It's encouraging, but it won't solve all our problems," Streff said.

With 60% of U.S. soybeans headed for export markets - much of it to China - trade relations are inseparable from long-term price stability. The tariff war is now testing not just global competitiveness, but also the agility of domestic agriculture policy.

Schmitz emphasized that beyond falling prices, the tariffs are inflating input costs like fertilizer, compounding producers' stress. "It's not just what we're losing on soy," he said, "it's what we're paying more for everywhere else."

Thune put it plainly: "We've got to get the Chinese market back. We sell a ton. Without it, we're exposed."