US says China extends soybean purchase deadline due to discrepancy

(MENAFN) US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer informed lawmakers on Tuesday that China’s deadline for fulfilling its commitment to purchase American soybeans has been extended from the end of the year to the end of the “growing season” due to a “discrepancy.” The discrepancy arose between the timeline Greer outlined and a White House statement issued on November 1 following a meeting between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

According to the White House announcement, “China will purchase at least 12 million metric tons (MMT) of U.S. soybeans during the last two months of 2025,” and would also “purchase at least 25 MMT of U.S. soybeans in each of 2026, 2027, and 2028.” Addressing questions about the timeline, Greer told the Senate Appropriations Committee, “We’ve heard from a couple of farmers; they want to know about that discrepancy. And it is a discrepancy. It is for this growing season.”

Most US soybeans are planted in May and June and harvested between September and October, according to the Agriculture Department. The announcement comes shortly after Trump unveiled a $12 billion aid package for farmers, including $11 billion in direct payments.

The department also indicated that China would soon receive a new shipment of American soybeans.

US farmers have highlighted that when China halted soybean purchases during the height of the US-China trade war, many agribusinesses were pushed toward bankruptcy. China resumed buying US soybeans after the late-October Trump-Xi meeting, executing at least ten separate purchase waves. Reports indicate that China has purchased 2.85 million metric tons of US soybeans since October.

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