China Restores U.S. Soybean Imports After Trump-Xi Meeting/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ China has pledged to resume U.S. soybean purchases at regular levels over the next three years, according to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. The agreement includes an initial 12 million metric ton buy, followed by 25 million metric tons annually. This marks a major recovery for American farmers after earlier trade disruptions.
U.S.-China Soybean Trade Quick Looks
- China will import 25 million metric tons of soybeans annually for three years.
- Initial purchase of 12 million metric tons to begin immediately.
- Bessent said farmers were used as “political pawns” in past trade tensions.
- China’s commitment signals recovery of the U.S.’s largest agricultural export market.
- Soybean purchases dropped significantly earlier in 2025 during the trade war.
- The deal aims to stabilize prices and restore farmer confidence.
- China’s past purchases peaked at 34 million metric tons in 2020.
- Soybean futures initially fell but rebounded after Bessent’s announcement.
- The agreement follows meetings between Trump and Xi in South Korea.
- Analysts expect China’s actual purchases may exceed agreed levels.
Deep Look
China Commits to Major U.S. Soybean Purchases After Trade Talks
WASHINGTON — China has formally committed to restoring its purchases of U.S. soybeans to historical levels, signaling a significant win for American agriculture and a potential turning point in ongoing trade tensions between the two global powers. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced the agreement on Thursday, confirming a three-year plan that begins with an immediate order of 12 million metric tons and includes annual commitments of at least 25 million metric tons thereafter.
Speaking on Fox Business Network’s Mornings with Maria, Bessent emphasized the relief this brings to U.S. farmers who have borne the brunt of economic pressure during the recent trade standoff. “Our great soybean farmers, who the Chinese used as political pawns, that’s off the table, and they should prosper in the years to come,” he said.
A Rebound After a Turbulent Year
Earlier this year, China abruptly curtailed its purchases of U.S. soybeans amid escalating trade conflicts with the Trump administration. The move sent shockwaves through rural America, as soybeans represent the country’s most valuable agricultural export. In 2024, China had imported around 26 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans—a decline from the 34 million metric tons reached during the peak of the Phase One trade deal in 2020.
The cutoff left American farmers scrambling to find alternative buyers, and tensions rose further when the U.S. provided a bailout to Argentina—another major soybean producer—which then sold large cargoes of soybeans to China, further eroding the U.S. position in the global market.
Turning Point in South Korea
The announcement follows high-level discussions between President Donald Trump, Treasury Secretary Bessent, and Chinese officials during meetings held in South Korea. The deal appears to be part of a broader strategy to stabilize trade relations and reduce economic friction.
Bessent revealed that China’s annual commitments will be on par with pre-trade war levels, marking a normalization of trade flows. While the agreement outlines a baseline of 25 million metric tons per year through 2028, Bessent hinted that the actual numbers could rise even higher, as seen during Trump’s first term.
“In 2020, after President Xi agreed to the phase one deal, President Trump kept calling and got them to buy more,” Bessent noted. “That number went up much higher.”
Market Reaction and Agricultural Outlook
Initially, soybean futures dipped on uncertainty over the scope of the deal. However, markets quickly corrected after Bessent publicly confirmed the scale of China’s commitment, signaling renewed investor confidence in U.S. agricultural exports.
Analysts say the agreement provides crucial predictability for American farmers, who have faced years of volatile export policies and price fluctuations. If fully honored, the three-year deal will restore billions of dollars in revenue to the U.S. farming sector.
Broader Trade Implications
Soybeans have long been a centerpiece of U.S.-China trade negotiations—not only as an economic issue but also a geopolitical tool. Beijing’s ability to shift buying patterns has been used strategically, targeting regions in the U.S. where agriculture plays a critical political role.
Bessent’s comments suggest that the Trump administration sees the resumption of soybean purchases not just as an economic boost but also as a political and diplomatic win. The restoration of Chinese purchases allows the White House to deliver on promises made to America’s farmers while reinforcing its broader message of achieving fairer trade terms.
Looking Ahead
While the current agreement runs through 2028, observers note that actual performance will depend heavily on ongoing diplomatic engagement between the two countries. Agricultural markets remain sensitive to shifts in rhetoric and policy, especially as U.S.-China relations continue to evolve.
Nonetheless, Thursday’s announcement is widely viewed as a meaningful step toward rebuilding trust between the two economic superpowers. With Trump set to visit China in April and Xi expected to reciprocate later in the year, additional trade developments could further cement the soybean pact—and perhaps expand it into other agricultural sectors.
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