BEIJING: China and the United States have agreed to expand agricultural trade and reduce tariffs following the high-level summit between Chinese officials and U.S. President Donald Trump in Beijing. The latest China-US trade talks are being viewed as a major step toward easing tensions between the world’s two largest economies.
According to China’s commerce ministry, both countries agreed to promote two-way trade through tariff reductions and improved market access for agricultural products. Officials described the agreements as “preliminary” and said final details would be completed soon.
The development comes after years of trade tensions and tariff disputes that severely affected global markets and agricultural exports. China’s imports of American farm products had declined sharply after reciprocal tariffs were imposed by both sides. U.S. Department of Agriculture data showed that China-US agricultural trade dropped by 65.7 percent year-on-year to $8.4 billion in 2025.
Analysts believe the possible reduction in soybean tariffs could significantly improve U.S. agricultural exports to China. Market experts expect a 10 percent cut in tariffs on soybeans, potentially allowing private Chinese importers to resume large-scale purchases from American suppliers.
China has already resumed buying certain U.S. agricultural products after an earlier meeting held in October. Beijing fulfilled commitments to purchase millions of metric tons of U.S. soybeans and also imported wheat and sorghum cargoes from the United States.
Trade experts say the easing of tariffs could normalize China-US farm trade and stabilize global agricultural markets. Johnny Xiang, founder of AgRadar Consulting in Beijing, stated that reduced tariffs would allow commercial buyers to return to the market after months of uncertainty.
The Chinese commerce ministry also confirmed progress on non-tariff barriers and market access issues. China agreed to address U.S. concerns related to beef facility registrations and poultry exports from several American states.
Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins said China had agreed to resume imports of beef products from 17 U.S. states. American officials expect China to purchase billions of dollars worth of U.S. farm goods over the next three years.
