Trade tensions between the U.S. and China have escalated as Beijing has ceased purchasing U.S. soybeans since May 2024, eliminating demand for approximately 27 million metric tons valued at $12.8 billion. In response, the U.S. has threatened tariffs and imposed port fees, leading to market volatility and prompting new maritime countermeasures. These reciprocal port charges could increase costs for major shipping operators by nearly $3.2 billion by 2026. Additionally, the U.S. has expressed concerns over China's record-high exports of used cooking oil, with the U.S. being the destination for 43% of these exports. This development adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing trade disputes between the two nations.