Farm Bureau leaders raised alarms of added pain for the already-struggling agricultural economy after China said last week it would halt purchases of U.S. soybeans and other ag products in response to a new round of U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports. The farm leaders urged both sides to find a way to end the heated trade dispute, which has slashed sales of U.S. ag products to China and helped drive down commodity prices.

“We understand China is a bad actor and must be held accountable,” said Craig Hill, president of the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation. “But since Iowa farmers are on the front lines of this trade war, we urge both...