According to Susan Stroud, founder and analyst at No Bull Agriculture, Brazilian soybeans have also fallen, making them cheaper than American ones and a logical choice for most importers, not just China.
"The more serious issue is that the market is doubting how realistic it is to increase business volumes by the end of the year," Stroud said. "Because the U.S. is not only trying to compete for Chinese business but has also lost all other global business."
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins said on Monday that the Trump administration hopes to announce a package of aid for American farmers and an agreement on Chinese soybean purchases within two weeks, but did not provide further details.
"The market is sitting and asking, 'What do you think they were talking about?'" said Dan Basse, president of consulting firm AgResource Co. "Given the uncertainty, people are trying not to take on too aggressive short or too aggressive long positions..."