China To Boost US Trade, Will Buy US$17 Billion Of Farm Imports Under New Deal After Trump-Xi Summit

Last Updated:May 18, 2026, 09:22 IST

China has agreed to sharply increase imports of US agricultural products, including beef, poultry and soybeans, as part of new trade understandings announced by the White House.

China has agreed to significantly increase imports of American agricultural products, including beef and poultry, under a new understanding reached during US President Donald Trump’s recent summit in Beijing with Chinese President Xi Jinping, according to the White House.

The development comes as the Trump administration attempts to cushion the impact of the prolonged trade war on US farmers.

As per the White House announcement on Sunday, China is expected to purchase US agricultural goods at an annualised rate of $17 billion in 2026, with the same level of imports continuing through 2027 and 2028.

Beijing has also agreed to restore market access for American beef and resume poultry imports from US states that the US Department of Agriculture certifies as free from bird flu outbreaks.

These commitments are in addition to China’s previous soybean purchase pledges.

The agreements provide some relief to American farmers, many of whom have struggled since the trade dispute between the two countries sharply reduced exports to China, once one of the largest markets for US farm products.

Farmers are also dealing with rising fertiliser costs and supply disruptions caused by the conflict involving the US, Israel and Iran, which has affected shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global trade route.

China, however, has not publicly confirmed the specific terms announced by Washington. Still, China’s Ministry of Commerce on Saturday acknowledged that both sides had agreed to “resolve or make substantial progress toward resolving certain non-tariff barriers and market access issues" involving agricultural trade.

According to the ministry, the US side would “actively work" to address Chinese concerns related to the detention of dairy and seafood products, exports of potted bonsai plants, and recognition of Shandong province as a bird-flu-free zone.

Meanwhile, China would “likewise actively work" on American concerns over beef processing plant registrations and poultry exports from certain US states.

The two countries also discussed reciprocal tariff reductions on unspecified products as part of broader efforts to expand trade ties.

China’s commerce ministry stated that both nations had “in principle" agreed to reduce tariffs on products of mutual concern “at an equivalent scale."

US Department of Agriculture data cited in the report showed that China’s imports of American agricultural products peaked at $38 billion in 2022 but fell dramatically to $8 billion in 2025 during the trade conflict. Soybean purchases alone declined from nearly $18 billion in 2022 to $3 billion in 2025.

Soybean farmers were particularly affected after China stopped purchasing US soybeans last year following Trump’s tariff hikes on Chinese imports.

Under a previous trade truce reached in October, China had already committed to purchasing 12 million metric tons of soybeans during the current marketing year and 25 million metric tons annually for the following three years.

The White House also said hundreds of American beef plants, including facilities operated by Tyson and Cargill, would regain access to the Chinese market.

China had allowed licenses for many US beef exporters to expire last year, causing beef imports from the US to fall below $500 million in 2025 compared to a peak of $2.14 billion in 2022.

Poultry exports to China similarly declined to $286 million in 2025 from over $1 billion in 2022.

During the summit, Trump and Xi also discussed creating separate trade and investment boards to improve economic cooperation and manage issues involving “non-sensitive goods."

China said the proposed bodies would serve as platforms to address concerns linked to trade, tariffs and investment.

Ahead of the talks, the American Soybean Association had urged Trump to prioritise soybean exports in negotiations with China.

Scott Metzger, president of the association, said the group wanted to see “additional soybean purchases this marketing year, as well as continued progress toward fulfilling future purchase commitments."

He added, “Greater certainty and consistency in the marketplace help provide farmers with the confidence they need as they make decisions for the year ahead."

News world China To Boost US Trade, Will Buy US$17 Billion Of Farm Imports Under New Deal After Trump-Xi Summit

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