China sharply reduced soybean imports from the United States in June, while purchases from Brazil continued to climb. Reuters said Chinese customs data showed June soybean imports from the U.S. totaled 1.27 million metric tons, down 20.6 percent from 1.6 million tons a year earlier. Imports from Brazil rose 13.7 percent to 12.08 million tons. Total soybean arrivals reached a record 13.55 million tons for the month as strong Brazilian shipments and previously delayed cargoes cleared ports. For the first six months of the year, China imported 9.31 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans, a 42.4 percent decline from the same period last year. Meanwhile, Brazilian shipments increased 9.1 percent to 34.75 million tons. The decline reflects lingering effects of trade tensions that delayed purchases of U.S. soybeans, although China resumed buying American beans following meetings between Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping and continues to target agreed-upon soybean purchase targets.