US trade representative shifts timeline for China’s soybean purchases over “discrepancy”

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on Tuesday announced that the previously reported timeline for China to fulfill its commitment to purchase American soybeans has been extended from the end of 2025 to the end of the “growing season.” The change became known during his testimony before the Senate Appropriations Committee in Washington.

Greer explained that the “discrepancy” arose between the timeline he provided and the White House statement from November 1, issued shortly after a meeting between Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping. The White House had stated that China would buy at least 12 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans during the last two months of 2025, and at least 25 million metric tons annually in 2026–2028.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, most soybeans in the United States are planted in May and June and harvested in September and October. Greer noted that farmers had raised questions about the discrepancy and emphasized that the revised timeline applies to the current growing season.

Earlier, President Trump unveiled a $12 billion aid package for farmers, including $11 billion in direct payments. The USDA also announced a new shipment of U.S. soybeans bound for China. During the U.S.-China trade war, many American farmers faced severe financial difficulties when China halted all soybean purchases.

Since the late-October meeting between Trump and Xi, China has resumed buying U.S. soybeans, executing at least 10 separate purchase waves in varying quantities. As of Tuesday, China had purchased around 2.85 million metric tons of soybeans since October, and the USDA reported an additional 132,000 metric tons booked for delivery to China.

Tags: China, soybean, USA