China Purchases 8 Million Tons of U.S. Soybeans
China has purchased two-thirds of a pledged 12 million tons of U.S. soybeans following a trade truce between Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping.
The Government of China has purchased at least 8 million tons of U.S. soybeans in 2025, fulfilling two-thirds of a 12-million-ton pledge made during a trade truce between President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping. To facilitate the agreement, China reduced tariffs on the crop and lifted import bans on three American exporters.
Confusion emerged regarding the fulfillment timeline. While the White House initially cited a year-end 2025 deadline, U.S. officials later clarified that the window extends to the end of February. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer further noted that the deadline aligns with the end of the growing season, as sales typically occur between September and March. State-owned Chinese buyers continued booking cargoes into late December for loading through March.
Despite the increase in U.S. purchases, Chinese state-owned firms maintained heavy imports from Brazil and Argentina, increasing Brazilian purchases by 16% last year to acquire 80% of that country's 2025 harvest. This reliance on other markets contributed to a 7% decline in U.S. soybean futures in December amid uncertainty over future sales. In response to the market volatility, President Donald Trump announced $12 billion in relief for U.S. farmers, though specific payment details remain pending.
