The United States (US) has announced that China will purchase at least $17bn worth of American agricultural products annually following talks between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, according to a White House fact sheet.
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The agreement, released on Sunday, states that the purchases will continue through 2028, with the 2026 target adjusted on a proportional basis for the remainder of the year. The announcement comes after a high-profile summit between the two leaders aimed at easing trade tensions and improving economic cooperation.
In addition to the annual agricultural commitment, China will also fulfil earlier pledges to buy at least 87 million metric tonnes of US soybeans, a commitment first made during a previous Trump–Xi meeting in South Korea in October.
The White House further said that China will reopen its market to US beef by renewing export approvals for more than 400 American processing facilities. It will also resume poultry imports from US states certified as free of avian influenza, expanding access for American farmers.
Both sides also agreed to establish two new bilateral mechanisms — the US-China Board of Trade and the US-China Board of Investment — to manage future economic relations and resolve trade-related issues.
However, China has not yet publicly confirmed the agreement or responded to Washington’s announcement, raising questions about the finalisation of the deal. The Chinese embassy in Washington did not immediately comment.
The summit between Trump and Xi focused heavily on economic cooperation and trade, while avoiding sensitive geopolitical issues such as Taiwan and the ongoing US-Israel conflict involving Iran.
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Analysts have noted that similar announcements in past negotiations have sometimes differed in interpretation between the two countries, urging caution until official confirmation from Beijing is received.
Despite uncertainty, the proposed deal signals a potential easing of agricultural trade tensions and could provide some relief to US farmers affected by years of tariff disputes and fluctuating Chinese demand.