China Extends US Soybean Purchase Deadline

(MENAFN) U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer informed lawmakers on Tuesday that China's deadline for fulfilling its commitment to buy American soybeans has been pushed back from the end of the calendar year to the conclusion of the "growing season" due to a “discrepancy.”

The “discrepancy” stems from a mismatch between the schedule Greer outlined and the announcement released by the White House on November 1, shortly after President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a meeting.

A prior White House statement indicated that “China will purchase at least 12 million metric tons (MMT) of U.S. soybeans during the last two months of 2025,” and additionally noted that Beijing would “also purchase at least 25 MMT of U.S. soybeans in each of 2026, 2027, and 2028."

When questioned about the timing, Greer told the Senate Appropriations Committee, "We’ve heard from a couple of farmers; they want to know about that discrepancy. And it is a discrepancy.”

He clarified, "It is for this growing season."

According to the Agriculture Department, the bulk of U.S. soybeans are sown in May and June and harvested in September and October.

On Monday, Trump announced a $12 billion support package for farmers, including $11 billion in direct payments.

The Agriculture Department also confirmed that China would receive a new shipment of American soybeans.

U.S. farmers have said that during the peak of the trade war with China, when purchases of soybeans halted, many of their companies faced near-bankruptcy, according to a news agency.

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