US soybean trade hopes rise despite no mention of agriculture in Trump–Xi call

relations. Meanwhile, U.S. wheat exports have reached their highest level in a decade, and corn shipments are off to a record start in the new marketing year. Soybean exports, however, continue to lag due to a lack of Chinese purchases — a major blow given China’s role as the top buyer of U.S. soy. Still, a glimmer of hope has emerged among soybean producers. Trump’s recent remarks, which focused directly on soybeans, have led analysts to believe that any progress in negotiations with China may prioritize soybean trade. “President Trump’s comments last week, specifically referencing soybeans, suggest that any deal or partial progress in trade talks could center on soybean purchases,” experts said. Chinese importers have reportedly booked about 7.4 million tons of soybeans — mostly from South America — for October, covering 95% of their demand, while U.S. farmers are losing billions in sales amid the ongoing trade dispute. Adding further intrigue is the ongoing U.S. government ...