Trump to Meet Xi Jinping in 4 Weeks With Big Soybean Push After Tariff War
Trump to Meet Xi Jinping in 4 Weeks With Big Soybean Push After Tariff War
Trump to Meet Xi Jinping: Former US President Donald Trump has announced plans to raise the issue of American soybean exports when he meets Chinese President Xi Jinping in four weeks. The high-stakes meeting, expected on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in South Korea later this month, comes amid lingering fallout from the US-China trade war.
In a statement on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump wrote:
“The Soybean Farmers of our Country are being hurt because China is, for ‘negotiating’ reasons only, not buying. I’ll be meeting with President Xi, of China, in four weeks, and Soybeans will be a major topic of discussion.”
The announcement highlights Trump’s renewed focus on agricultural trade as US farmers continue to face challenges from Beijing’s retaliatory tariffs.
Fallout of the US-China Tariff War
Earlier this year, Washington and Beijing imposed tit-for-tat tariffs on billions of dollars worth of each other’s exports, reigniting tensions between the world’s two largest economies. Although both sides later agreed to a fragile de-escalation, the damage has already been felt across multiple sectors, especially agriculture.
Trump has repeatedly argued that the tariff revenues collected from China should be redirected to support American farmers. He also criticized President Joe Biden for failing to enforce previous trade commitments that included increased Chinese purchases of US farm goods.
Soybean Farmers Caught in the Crossfire
The American Soybean Association (ASA) has been vocal in urging Trump to make soybeans a priority in upcoming trade talks. According to ASA President Caleb Ragland, China’s 20% retaliatory tariffs have effectively shut out US soybeans from their biggest export market.
“Going into the 2025 soybean harvest, the United States has made zero sales to China in this new crop marketing year,” Ragland warned. “This has allowed other exporters, Brazil and now Argentina, to capture our market at the direct expense of US farmers.”
China is the world’s largest soybean importer, with massive demand for livestock feed and food production. Historically, the US was one of Beijing’s primary suppliers. However, trade tensions have redirected Chinese purchases toward Brazilian and Argentine soybeans, severely weakening America’s share of the market.
Ragland said the frustration among US farmers is “overwhelming,” as many feel sidelined despite being a cornerstone of American exports.
Billions in Agricultural Losses
This is not the first time US farmers have felt the sting of tariffs. During Trump’s first presidency, retaliatory tariffs on agricultural exports caused an estimated $27 billion in losses from mid-2018 to late-2019. The administration provided aid packages to farmers at the time, but many producers remain wary of prolonged trade conflicts.
Soybeans, pork, and other key agricultural products were among the hardest hit, with China shifting its imports elsewhere. While aid programs helped soften the blow, they could not replace the long-term loss of access to China’s massive market.
Trump Eyes Trade Win Ahead of Election Season
Trump’s latest push to spotlight soybeans may also have political undertones. Securing a commitment from China to buy more American farm products would allow him to position himself as a defender of US farmers, a key voting bloc in the Midwest.
By signaling that soybeans will be a “major topic of discussion” in his talks with Xi, Trump is making it clear that he intends to use trade negotiations to deliver tangible wins for rural America.
The APEC summit in South Korea later this month will provide a crucial stage for both leaders to test whether they can rebuild trade trust after years of disputes. Trump has also indicated that he plans to travel to China next year for further discussions, signaling that agricultural trade will remain at the center of his strategy.
Looking Ahead
As the US enters the 2025 soybean harvest season, American farmers are under growing pressure to reclaim lost ground in global markets. With Brazil and Argentina strengthening their dominance, the stakes could not be higher for US agriculture.
Whether Trump can convince Xi Jinping to lift or ease retaliatory tariffs remains uncertain. However, one thing is clear: the outcome of these talks could determine the future of US soybean exports and reshape the balance of global agricultural trade.
