 "Trump predicts China will soon resume buying US soybeans")
US President Donald Trump expressed optimism this week that China would soon resume purchases of American soybeans, signalling a potential thaw in trade tensions between the world’s two largest economies.
Speaking to reporters, Trump suggested that Beijing’s reluctance to buy US agricultural products was temporary and tied to broader geopolitical considerations rather than fundamental market issues.
The statement come amid frustration among American farmers, particularly in the Midwest, who have seen soybean exports to China, a key market — sharply decline in recent years.
The slowdown, according to experts, stems from lingering effects of the US–China trade war, ongoing tariffs, and a complex mix of diplomatic and economic pressures that have strained bilateral commerce.
Trump attributed the lull in soybean purchases to strained US–China relations and said that once talks resumed and tensions eased, China would inevitably return to buying large volumes of US soybeans. “They’ll start buying again; it’s only a matter of time,” he said, highlighting the crop’s importance to the American agricultural sector and rural economies.
The Trump administration had previously negotiated a “phase one” trade deal in 2020, under which China pledged to increase purchases of US farm goods, including soybeans. While initial deliveries were substantial, momentum stalled in subsequent years due to the wider deterioration in bilateral relations and disruptions caused by supply chain constraints.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsFarmers in states such as Iowa, Illinois, and Minnesota have voiced growing concerns over market uncertainties. Soybeans are a cornerstone of US agricultural exports, and any resumption of sales to China could provide critical relief to the sector, which has faced depressed prices and financial strain.
Analysts say Trump’s prediction may carry political weight, as he continues to court rural voters who are heavily invested in the agricultural economy. “China’s soybean purchases are as much about signalling and diplomacy as they are about trade,” said an agricultural economist. “Even promises or forecasts from former leaders can influence market expectations and farmer confidence.”
However, Beijing has not officially confirmed any immediate plans to restart large-scale soybean imports from the United States. Trade experts caution that while demand exists, actual purchase agreements will depend on negotiations, pricing, and broader economic and political considerations between the two nations.
Meanwhile, US farm groups welcomed Trump’s remarks as a morale boost. The American Soybean Association stated that any indication of renewed trade could help stabilise prices and support farmers’ incomes, particularly as domestic challenges and global market volatility continue to weigh on the sector.
With inputs from agencies
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