The United States is expressing optimism about its agricultural trade outlook with China, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stating that Beijing’s soybean purchases are progressing as planned. According to U.S. officials, the current framework outlines China’s commitment to buy 87.5 million metric tons of American soybeans over the next three and a half years—an agreement viewed in Washington as a stabilizing element in a complex bilateral relationship.
Despite acknowledging that the two nations remain strategic competitors, Bessent emphasized that diplomatic ties are currently on solid footing. His remarks followed President Donald Trump’s recent statement highlighting strong relations with Beijing after a phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The conversation came weeks after their meeting in South Korea, where both leaders endorsed the outline of a future trade deal that still awaits finalization.
Looking ahead, Bessent noted that Trump and Xi are expected to hold several high-level engagements in the coming year. Potential interactions include Trump’s participation in the 2026 APEC summit hosted by China and Xi’s visit to the United States for the G20 leaders’ gathering. Both sides also plan reciprocal state visits, signaling sustained diplomatic momentum alongside ongoing trade negotiations.
