Argentina could protest Chinese soy oil ban

Argentina may formally protest a Chinese ban on imports of Argentine soybean oil, the Financial Times reported. Argentina’s foreign minister, Jorge Taiana, summoned China’s ambassador to Argentina over the possible ban, which could severely impact Argentina’s exports of soy, a major agricultural product for the country. China purchased US$1.4 billion worth of soy oil from Argentina last year, but Chinese companies called last week for a halt to imports of soy oil in response to new restrictions on imports of Chinese products, including shoes and steel pipes. US and Brazilian soy producers would benefit from any restrictions on Argentine soy products.