Trade dispute between the US and China poses a significant threat to thousands of American jobs, according to a business advocacy organization.
The trade spat between the U.S. and China has put over $140 billion worth of American exports and a multitude of domestic jobs on the line, according to a recent report by the US business lobby group, the US-China Business Council. This escalating conflict has caused ripples across various industries, including agriculture, semiconductors, education, travel, and aerospace.
The tit-for-tat tariffs are taking a toll on the agriculture sector, particularly soybeans and pork exports, which have witnessed a significant drop. Net sales to China fell 50% for soybeans and a staggering 72% for pork in mid-April 2025, with year-to-date declines against four-week averages registered at 25% and 82%, respectively[1]. The cotton industry faces a similar predicament, as 85% of U.S. cotton exports primarily destined for China are at risk. With tariffs driving sales to alternative markets at lower prices, experts predict that crops may end up in landfill disposal if surplus persists[4]. Moreover, given the scale of agricultural exports ($176B annually), a contraction could lead to farm closures and reduced planting investments, particularly during the peak spring season[1][3].
While the report lacks specific impacts for semiconductors, education, travel, and aerospace, historically, such trade conflicts have resulted in reduced tourism, business travel, student exchanges, and research collaborations, disrupted supply chains, and increased production costs that delay deliveries[3]. However, the current conflict's effects on these sectors remain unclear from the listed data.
Sean Stein, president of the US-China Business Council, underscores the urgency, stating that if tariffs remain, bilateral trade will plummet, potentially causing a catastrophic $140 billion in export losses and the loss of hundreds of thousands of jobs. This, in turn, could destabilize the US economy and weaken America's global competitiveness[2]. He implores leaders from both countries to engage in negotiations and promptly remove or reduce tariffs.
- The escalating trade spat between the U.S. and China has expanded beyond agriculture, impacting sectors like education, travel, and aerospace, as shown by historical trends.
- The agriculture sector, particularly soybeans and pork exports, has been severely affected by the tariffs, with significant declines in net sales and a potential risk for surplus crops to end up in landfill disposal.
- The economic ramifications of the trade conflict could extend to other industries, such as semiconductors, education, travel, and aerospace, resulting in job losses, reduced tourism and travel, and disrupted supply chains.
- If tariffs remain, the US-China Business Council's president, Sean Stein, warns that bilateral trade will plummet, causing a potential loss of $140 billion in exports and hundreds of thousands of jobs – a situation that could weaken America's global competitiveness.
- Given the scale of agricultural exports ($176B annually), a contraction could lead to farm closures and reduced planting investments, particularly during the peak spring season, creating a ripple effect through the economy.
- Experts predict that the cotton industry will face a similar predicament, as 85% of U.S. cotton exports primarily destined for China are at risk, driven by tariffs driving sales to alternative markets at lower prices.
