U.S., China buy more time to iron out trade wrinkles

When President Donald Trump recently hosted Chinese President Xi Jinping, there were expectations in farm country that some type of major deal would be announced to boost agricultural exports. Now, farm groups are analyzing the details and trying to figure out the timeline.

The White House released a list of goods due to receive reciprocal tariff reductions under a previously announced United States-China board of framework, which would affect $30 billion in goods from both the U.S. and another $30 billion from China. Potentially the deal could boost market access for U.S. farm products and improve access to the U.S. market for everything from Chinese toys and fishing tackle. 

The deal essentially drops the country-specific levies on those products on the list, returning most to “most-favored-nation” status levels.

Dubbed the “30-for-30” framework, the announcement comes as the White House is seeking to forge stronger relations with Beijing after a tense trade war at the start of Trump’s second term.

“From agricultural products to medical devices, President Trump is unlocking improved market access for about 30% of U.S. exports to China, while benefiting consumers with imports from China of household goods, toys, and other products that the United States generally does not import from other countries,” U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said in a press release.

While the list includes U.S. wheat and corn, it notably did not include whole soybeans, which are still subject to a 10% tariff.

Soybean leaders looking for more

The American Soybean Association said it’s disappointed that soybeans were excluded from the list of products getting a lower tariff. 

“China’s remaining 10% retaliatory duty limits access for private Chinese importers, meaning soybean trade will continue to be handled primarily by China’s state-owned enterprises. Removing the tariff would improve the competitiveness of U.S. soybeans and provide greater opportunity for private Chinese buyers,” ASA noted.

At the same time, ASA pointed to China’s continued commitment to purchase a minimum of 25 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans annually in years 2026, 2027 and 2028. These annual commitments provide important demand and greater certainty for U.S. soybean farmers.

“As soybean farmers look to strengthen and expand markets, China’s annual commitment to purchase 25 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans provides critical stability, and we expect those commitments to be fully met,” said ASA President and Ohio soybean farmer Scott Metzger. “China remains an important market for U.S. soybeans, and we want to see a strong trading relationship that allows more customers in China to purchase our soybeans.”

Soybeans weren’t completely left out of the agreement. The list identifies soybean seeds, soybean flour, soybean oil and its separated products, soybean cake and soybean residues, as in line for tariff cuts.

China is a big market for soybeans. The U.S. used to dominate the Chinese soybean market, but after the trade war during the first Trump administration, China turned to Brazil to fill that space. 

Between October 2017 to March 2018, the U.S. exported 24.43 million metric tons of soybeans to China, according to USDA’s Economic Research Service. During that same time period in 2018-2019, Chinese imports of U.S. soybeans fell to 2.69 MMT. Brazil on the other hand, saw its market share grow by 11.47 MMT, increasing exports from 14.23 MMT. to 25.70 MMT.

The U.S. has struggled to regain that market. The Trump administration on Nov. 1, 2025, unveiled a deal in which China agreed to purchase at least 12 MMT of U.S. soybeans during the last two months of 2025 and at least 25 MMT of U.S. soybeans annually from 2026 through 2028. China has purchased roughly 12 MMT of soybeans since October 2025.

The list of U.S. goods to enter China outlined 1,619 items, many of which are agricultural goods, including livestock like cattle, goats, pigs, turkey, and chicken. It also opens the market to U.S. ranchers seeking to sell beef and pork products, or other meat items. The list also names fruits and vegetables such as broccoli, sweet corn, potatoes, bananas, and citrus fruits.

More dairy access

The framework will also open the market for U.S. dairy. It outlines food products made from malt extract, grain flour and dairy products, in addition to items such as milk, yogurt and whey.

The U.S. Dairy Export Council described the two-month extension of the tariff truce as a “welcome step forward.”

“We are encouraged by the inclusion of U.S. dairy exports on the list of products to be considered for tariff reduction,” said Krysta Harden, president and CEO, U.S. Dairy Export Council. “USDEC urges the Board to swiftly deliver the full elimination of the retaliatory tariffs that still weigh on U.S. dairy so our suppliers can compete on a more level playing field.

The export council also cautioned the administration on port fees.

“As wider talks continue, it is essential that proposed port fees on Chinese ships are not passed along to U.S. agricultural exporters. Added freight costs would undercut the very gains the Board of Trade is meant to achieve,” Harden added.

The deputies to U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Greer and Chinese Vice Premier of the State Council He Lifeng will monitor the bilateral trade of the products covered by the framework and can make adjustment proposals; however, the two countries don’t imagine making adjustments more often than on an annual basis.

Editor’s note: Sara Wyant is publisher of Agri-Pulse Communications Inc., www.Agri-Pulse.com.