Bessent Divests From Soybean Farms, Says Farmers Needs Federal Aid Despite China Deal

Bessent has referred to himself as a soybean farmer and said that he, too, felt the pain of being caught in the middle of the U.S.–China trade war.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent listens as President Donald Trump talks after meeting with New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani in the Oval Office on Nov. 21, 2025, in Washington. AP Photo/Evan Vucci

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said he has divested his soybean farm holdings and acknowledged that, despite China’s commitment to buy more U.S. agricultural products, farmers still need support from the federal government.

“I’m involved in the agriculture industry. I run a soybean farm,” Bessent said on Dec. 7 during an appearance on CBS’s “Face the Nation.”