Congressman Sorensen Leads Members of Illinois Congressional Delegation in Urging President Trump to Stop Hurting IL Soybean and Corn Farmers

Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) is leading members of the Illinois delegation in a letter calling on President Donald Trump to take immediate action to end the trade war with China that is crushing the Illinois and American farm economy.

With President Trump and President Xi Jinping of China scheduled to discuss U.S. soybean and agricultural exports in their trade talks this week, it is critical that the two leaders reach an agreement before it's too late for American farmers who will go bankrupt without a deal.

"While Presidents Trump and Xi meet in Asia this week, thousands of farmers across the country are praying for an agreement that will save them from financial ruin this year," said Congressman Sorensen. "President Trump's reckless trade war with China has done nothing but raise prices on American consumers and crush the agriculture economy. It's time for him to bring an end to the chaos with a trade deal that does right by our farmers."

Last year, China purchased $12.6 billion in U.S. soybeans, which was 52% of all American soybean exports. In Illinois, 50% of international soybean exports when to China. Soybean exports in Illinois are down 18% on the year.

Without a trade deal, American farmers will suffer devastating, billion-dollar losses, at a time when they are dealing with one of the worst ag economies in recent memory. Farm bankruptcies have nearly doubledfrom the previous year. Farmers need President Trump to end the trade war now, so they can get access to new and traditional international markets, like China, that are critical for farmers' livelihoods.

You can read the full letter here.

The letter is endorsed by the Illinois Soybean Association and the Illinois Farm Bureau.