Growers lean on ‘hope and prayers’ for Trump-Xi trade detente

20250918 soybean north dakota hand

In North Dakota, where agriculture makes up over a quarter of the state’s economic output, 90% of soybean production is exported — most of it, under normal circumstances, to the world’s top buyer, China. (Photo by Pak Yiu)

PAK YIU

September 19, 2025 17:28 JST

MAYVILLE, North Dakota — Brent Kohls is anxious as he prepares to harvest bushels of soybeans at his North Dakota farm in the next week or so.