US President Donald Trump said he would confront Chinese President Xi Jinping later this month over Beijing’s refusal to buy American soybeans, escalating tensions in a long-running trade dispute that has weighed heavily on US farmers.
The announcement marks the latest development in the fragile economic relationship between the world’s two largest economies.
Soybeans at the center of trade tensions
Trump, under pressure from Republican lawmakers in farm states, said soybeans would be a “major topic” when he meets Xi at the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.
“The Soybean Farmers of our Country are being hurt because China is, for ‘negotiating’ reasons only, not buying,” Trump posted on social media.
The president accused his predecessor, Joe Biden, of failing to enforce provisions of the Phase One trade deal signed during Trump’s first term, which required Beijing to purchase large volumes of US agricultural goods.
He also reiterated his proposal to use tariff revenues to fund a new aid package for farmers, though details remain unclear.
Soybean futures reacted sharply to the comments, rising as much as 1.9% intraday, the biggest jump since August 21, before paring gains slightly.
China holds back on purchases
As the world’s top soybean buyer, China exerts significant influence over global agricultural markets.
Beijing has revived a familiar tactic from the first Trump-era trade war by holding back on US purchases as negotiations continue.
According to US Department of Agriculture data, China had not booked a single U.S. soybean cargo as of September 18, weeks into the new marketing year—a first since records began in 1999.
Last year, China bought more than $12 billion worth of US soybeans, accounting for one-fifth of its imports and over half the total value of American soybean exports.
The US and China are currently operating under a trade détente that temporarily lowered tariffs and other restrictions but is set to expire in November.
The two leaders spoke earlier this month to set the stage for discussions at APEC, where agricultural trade is expected to be a top agenda item.
Political and legal risks for Trump
Trump’s plan to channel tariff revenues into farmer relief could face significant hurdles.
Lower courts have ruled his use of emergency powers to impose sweeping tariffs unlawful, raising the possibility that the US government may ultimately be required to refund tens of billions of dollars if the Supreme Court affirms those decisions.
Meanwhile, Republican senators who met with US Ambassador to China David Perdue this week expressed skepticism that Beijing would resume purchases of American agricultural products soon.
Some lawmakers warned that stopgap bailouts would offer only temporary relief.
The political stakes are high. Farmers, who were a key voting bloc for Trump in 2024, have endured shrinking safety-net programs and falling export markets during his second term.
The prolonged disruption has become a vulnerability for Republicans ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, particularly in the agricultural heartland.
As Trump prepares for his meeting with Xi, the outcome could have far-reaching consequences not only for the global soybean trade but also for his political standing at home.
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