Agricultural trade emerged as one of the key discussion points during the 90-minute meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said that China had agreed to begin purchasing “a tremendous amount of soybeans and other farm products” from the United States immediately.
According to Trump, Xi’s decision to authorize new agricultural imports reflects a positive shift in trade relations between the two countries. “President Xi authorized yesterday for China to start buying very large quantities of soybeans and other things, which I appreciated; it is a very nice gesture,” Trump told reporters.
Ahead of the meeting, Chinese importers had already purchased three cargoes of U.S. soybeans, a signal that Beijing was preparing to reopen its market to American agricultural goods. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins called the move “a great start” in a social media post, noting that it could mark the beginning of renewed momentum for U.S. farmers hit hard by previous trade tensions.
While both sides expressed optimism, the trade deal still requires an official signing. Trump said he expects that to happen “pretty soon,” highlighting that the agreement would not only boost agricultural exports but also strengthen overall economic ties.
The two leaders also discussed upcoming diplomatic visits. Trump announced plans to visit China in April, while Xi Jinping is expected to travel to the United States later in the year, signaling a continued effort to stabilize one of the world’s most critical trade relationships.
