China has started making purchases of U.S. farm products following last week’s meeting between the countries leaders. As part of their agreement, China pledged to buy at least 12 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans by the end of 2025 and a minimum of 25 million metric tons annually from 2026 through 2028.
So far, China has booked two cargoes of U.S. wheat — the first in nearly a year. While these initial moves signal progress, analysts describe them as largely symbolic, noting that U.S. wheat isn’t currently the cheapest option on the global market.
The purchases follow China’s decision to suspend retaliatory tariffs on many U.S. imports, though a 13% tariff still applies to soybeans. If fully implemented, the soybean commitments could generate over $30 billion in U.S. farm revenue within three years. The American Farm Bureau Federation welcomed the developments, emphasizing that renewed trade could help farmers struggling with high costs and low prices.
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