US President Donald Trump’s trade war with China created a “tortuous experience” that disrupted the flow of soybeans between the world’s two largest economies, a Chinese diplomat said Friday. The diplomat’s remarks highlight the prolonged impact of tariffs on agricultural trade, which once saw China as the top buyer of US soybeans. The trade tensions, which began in 2018, led to sharp declines in US soybean exports to China, forcing farmers to seek alternative markets.

Despite a phase-one trade deal in 2020, the diplomat noted that the experience remains a cautionary tale for global trade stability. The comments come as both nations continue to navigate complex economic relations, with soybean trade serving as a key barometer of bilateral ties. The diplomat emphasized that rebuilding trust will take time, and that the “tortuous” path has left lasting scars on the agricultural sector.

The remarks underscore the broader consequences of tariff policies on international commerce.