BEIJING, CHINA — Increased tariffs on grain shipments from the United States and rising international prices led to a dramatic plunge in Chinese grain imports in July, Reuters reported on Aug. 23.

Reuters said data from the General Administration of Customs in China showed a 62.5% decrease in sorghum to 220,000 tonnes, down from 588,364 tonnes in July 2017.

Most of China’s sorghum is imported from the United States.

Also, China’s corn imports for July fell by 63.7% year over year to 330,000 tonnes, and its wheat intake dropped by 43% to 140,000 tonnes, according to the General Administration of Customs.

On July 6, in response to the U.S. imposing a 25% tariff on Chinese steel, aluminum and other products, China slapped 25% tariffs on a list of U.S. products, including sorghum, corn and soybeans.

China historically has imported almost all its sorghum from the United States, and also brings in a significant portion of its imported soybeans and corn from there.