China bought at least 10 more cargoes of Argentine soybeans, taking advantage of a temporary break in the South American country’s export levies to stock up amid a trade war with the US, its second-largest supplier.

Importers snapped up the shipments on Tuesday, mainly for loading in November, according to people familiar with the matter. That extends a buying spree prompted by Buenos Aires suspending export taxes on key crops including the oilseed.

In a sign that Beijing is once again using agriculture as leverage in its trade fight with Washington, China hadn’t booked a single US cargo as of Sept. 11, almost two weeks into the new marketing season — the first time in records going back to 1999, according to data from the US Department of Agriculture.

More cargoes from Argentina will ease any potential shortfalls China might face toward the end of this year and into the first quarter of 2026, a period when the Asian nation typically relies on US shipments that dominate the market.

Argentine shipments booked this week total at least 20 cargoes, or more than 1.3 million tons, said the people, who asked not to be identified because they’re not authorized to speak to media. Chinese importers are expected to keep booking vessels from Argentina as long as the surprise reduction in export levies remains in place, according to the people.

News of the transactions — coming at a time when the US is readying a $20 billion aid package for Argentina — prompted the American Soybean Association, an industry group, to call on the Trump administration to “prioritize securing an immediate deal on soybeans with China.”

“US farmers cannot wait and hope any longer,” ASA President Caleb Ragland said in a statement. Retaliatory tariffs by China have allowed Brazil and Argentina to capture market “at the direct expense of US farmers,” he said. “The farm economy is suffering while our competitors supplant the United States in the biggest soybean import market in the world.”