If rare earths strike at America’s industrial nerves, soybeans hit America’s electoral nerves. Like rare earths, soybeans are a tangible Chinese lever. Agricultural swing states are central to US elections, especially for Republicans. China is America’s largest soybean buyer. The US cannot easily find an equivalent buyer; China can diversify. Washington can subsidise farmers, but not indefinitely. When China cuts purchases, farm anger shifts toward Washington, making soybeans a rhythmic strategic weapon, as China can decide whether to buy, how much to buy, and when to buy. The weapon is timing, not tonnage.
