Asian buyers are starting to reduce their purchases of U.S. agricultural products due to uncertainties caused by planned tariffs on China-associated vessels and extensive import duties on key regional trading partners by the U.S., which are diminishing the demand for American goods. China, imposing 34% duties on U.S. goods, is the largest importer of U.S. agricultural items, while countries like Japan, South Korea, and Thailand also import significant quantities of U.S. wheat, corn, and soybean meal. President Donald Trump's initiative to rejuvenate U.S. shipbuilding by introducing port fees of up to $1.5 million on Chinese-linked ships has compelled exporters to seek non-Chinese ships, leading to increased freight costs and reducing interest in U.S. agricultural products. The uncertainties surrounding the trade war and shipping challenges are anticipated to have a negative impact on Chicago soybean and wheat futures, which are currently trading at low levels. Traders are expressing concerns that most importers are hesitating to import from the U.S. due to elevated shipping costs and uncertainties related to the trade war. The scarcities of shipping options and the ongoing trade war are causing delays in purchasing decisions by other Asian grain importers, despite no expected retaliations to U.S. tariffs. As a result, companies are facing difficulties in securing non-Chinese vessels for transporting U.S. wheat to Southeast Asia, leading to increased freight expenses, thereby temporarily halting U.S. grain purchases. Nonetheless, traditional U.S. wheat buyers like Japan and South Korea are anticipated to persist in buying American wheat, though they might source corn and soybeans from alternate suppliers in South America and the Black Sea region.