China returns to buying U.S. soybeans ahead of Trump-Xi meeting

In the context of two economic superpowers being tense over trade tariffs, China's halt in purchasing U.S. soybeans has caused American farmers—who had strongly supported Trump during presidential campaigns—to suffer billions of dollars in lost revenue. The new COFCO agreement includes approximately 180,000 tons of soybeans with delivery scheduled from December 2025 to January 2026, marking the first time China has returned to the U.S. soybean market after many months of absence. However, trade analysts remain cautious, not predicting a strong recovery in demand for U.S. agricultural products, especially after China recently signed large contracts with South American suppliers. "COFCO proactively purchased U.S. soybeans even before the two leaders sat down for trade talks," revealed a trader working at an international trading company that supplies to Chinese crushing plants. "The volume COFCO purchased this time is quite modest, just three cargoes." As soon as this information ...