Pressure from reduced crop, a lack of international buyers and emerging competition from Brazil is straining U.S. soybean growers. Photo from Braden Egli, Unsplash.

News Release

OMAHA — U.S. farmers expressed cautious optimism after China pledged to buy at least 25 million metric tons of American soybeans annually for the next three years, marking a step toward rebuilding trade ties strained since the U.S.-China trade war began.

The agreement restores Chinese soybean imports to pre-trade war levels, though the 12 million metric tons expected between now and January represent roughly half of typical annual purchases.

Farmers said the move offers relief but warned that soaring input costs for fertilizer, equipment, and seeds continue to strain operations. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said China also plans to lift all retaliatory tariffs on U.S. agricultural products and resume buying sorghum, another crop heavily dependent on Chinese demand. The policy shift could boost sales across the farm sector, with China historically purchasing about one-quarter of the U.S. soybean crop – worth more than $12.5 billion last year.

Farm leaders said the renewed demand could improve access to credit for next year’s planting season. But they cautioned that the agreement alone will not offset financial challenges created by years of market volatility and inflation.

Pres. Donald Trump has pledged a new aid package to help farmers weather trade disruptions, though it remains on hold amid the ongoing government shutdown. Rollins said the administration stands ready to provide additional support if needed.

China, the world’s largest soybean importer, had shifted much of its supply chain to Brazil and other South American producers in recent years. A similar deal was signed in early 2020, following the 2018-19 trade war from Trump’s first term. Following the trade disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. farm exports hit a high in 2022 – then fell. In 2024, China’s soybean imports were 70% Brazilian, as the U.S. lost ground to its South American neighbors.

Analysts said consistent follow-through on the new deal will be key to restoring long-term trust between U.S. growers and Chinese buyers.