China and the United States have agreed to mutually cut levies on certain products to expand bilateral trade in agricultural goods. This agreement follows a summit between US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing. While specifics are still being negotiated, the move signals further stabilization in economic ties between the two nations.
As part of the deal, China committed to buying at least $17 billion in US agricultural products annually for 2026, 2027, and 2028. This is in addition to existing soybean purchase commitments made last year, which included 12 million metric tons in the current marketing year and 25 million metric tons for each of the next three years. The White House indicated that these purchases could include a broad range of products, including dairy.
The agreement also includes the restoration of market access for US beef, with hundreds of US beef plants, including those run by Tyson and Cargill, expected to resume exports. China will also resume imports of poultry from US states deemed free of bird flu by the USDA. Additionally, both sides pledged to resolve non-tariff barriers and market access issues concerning agricultural goods, such as China addressing concerns about US dairy products and seafood, and the US addressing concerns regarding registration of beef processing facilities.
To facilitate ongoing discussions, both countries agreed to establish Boards of Investment and Trade. These boards will serve as government-to-government forums to discuss trade and investment issues, including tariff reductions on specific products. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer mentioned that the Board of Trade would see tariffs reduced on at least $30 billion in non-critical goods. The Chinese Commerce Ministry noted that, in principle, both sides agreed to reduce tariffs on products of mutual concern at an equivalent scale.
This agreement provides some relief to American farmers who have been significantly impacted by the trade war, particularly those in the soybean sector. US agricultural exports to China peaked at $38 billion in 2022, but fell to $8 billion in 2025. China’s purchases of US beef, for instance, peaked at $2.14 billion in 2022 but dropped to less than $500 million in 2025. The new commitments aim to boost these figures closer to previous levels.
