Trump and Xi Discuss Agricultural Imports, China Expected to Reduce Focus on US Soybeans

China and the United States are expected to discuss agricultural sector cooperation during the meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping on 14-15 May 2026. Markets anticipate that the two countries have a chance to reach a new agreement regarding China’s purchases of US agricultural products. Nevertheless, industry players assess that the prospects for additional large-scale soybean purchases remain limited. The agricultural sector has so far been considered relatively less sensitive compared to technology, security, or geopolitical issues in US-China relations. The US government is reportedly pushing China to increase purchases of soybeans and various other agricultural products. “They know it’s something they need. They know it’s something we want to sell. So whether it’s during that visit or soon afterwards remains to be seen,” a senior US official told reporters. Several analysts believe China is likely reluctant to significantly increase US soybean imports beyond the agreement reached last October. Weakened domestic demand and cheaper Brazilian soybean prices are among the contributing factors. Markets anticipate that the new cooperation focus will lean more towards other commodities, such as corn, sorghum, wheat, beef, and poultry. These commodities were previously discussed in high-level negotiations last March. “There is still room to reach purchase agreements for other major US exports. That could be large-volume purchase deals for major products like corn and sorghum,” said Even Rogers Pay, Director of Trivium China consultancy. The value of such deals would still be far below China’s soybean imports from the US, which reached around $12 billion or equivalent to Rp210.2 trillion. More than a dozen executives from major US companies are scheduled to accompany Trump on the visit. One of them is Cargill Chairman Brian Sikes. Cargill is one of the world’s largest grain trading companies.