U.S. and China revive trade with record soybean and beef deals
China and the U.S. have struck new trade deals to boost agricultural exports and strengthen economic ties. The agreements include large-scale soybean purchases and the reopening of China’s market to American beef and poultry. Both countries will also establish dedicated boards to address trade and investment concerns. Under the latest agreements, China will buy 12 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans in the current marketing year. For the following three years, purchases will rise to 25 million metric tons annually. These commitments come on top of last year’s soybean deals.
China has also pledged to import U.S. agricultural products, including beef and poultry, at an annualised rate of $17 billion for 2026, 2027, and 2028. This marks a significant recovery from recent declines—U.S. agricultural exports to China peaked at $38 billion in 2022 but dropped to just $8 billion by 2025. Poultry exports alone fell from over $1 billion in 2022 to $286 million in 2025. As part of the deal, China will restore market access for U.S. beef, allowing hundreds of plants—including those operated by Tyson and Cargill—to export to the country. Imports of U.S. poultry will also resume from states declared free of bird flu. To improve cooperation, the two nations will set up separate boards for trade and investment. The Board of Trade will oversee exchanges of 'non-sensitive goods,' while the Board of Investments will handle discussions on investment issues. China’s Ministry of Commerce confirmed that both bodies would work to resolve mutual concerns in these areas.
The agreements will expand U.S. agricultural exports to China and create new channels for economic dialogue. Hundreds of beef producers and poultry suppliers now regain access to the Chinese market. The trade and investment boards aim to provide a structured way to address future disputes.
