Former President Donald Trump has confirmed his plan to meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping within the next four weeks, with US soybean purchases taking center stage. The meeting’s primary focus will be addressing the challenges faced by American farmers due to trade tensions. Trump stated on his Truth Social platform that China’s lack of soybean purchases is harming US farmers. He highlighted that soybeans will be a key discussion point during his meeting with President Xi. Previously, Trump mentioned the possibility of a meeting with Xi at the APEC summit in South Korea in late October, and also expressed intentions to visit China next year. The US and China engaged in a trade war earlier this year, which led to increased tariffs. While there have been agreements to ease tensions, the situation remains fragile. Trump has indicated his intention to utilize US tariff funds to aid American farmers and criticized former President Joe Biden for not upholding an earlier trade agreement with China that mandated increased agricultural purchases. The American Soybean Association (ASA) has urged Trump to prioritize soybeans in trade talks with China, warning that Chinese tariffs hinder American farmers’ access to their primary export market as the 2025 soybean harvest approaches. China is a major buyer of soybeans, and the US has been a key supplier. ASA President Caleb Ragland noted that the US has not made any sales to China in the current crop year due to China’s retaliatory tariffs, allowing competitors like Brazil and Argentina to gain market share.
