China Misses $17 Billion U.S. Farm Goods Pledge as 2026 Purchases Reach $3.9 Billion
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Sep 21
China Misses $17 Billion U.S. Farm Goods Pledge as 2026 Purchases Reach $3.9 Billion
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Sep 21
Summary
$3.9 billion in U.S. agricultural goods excluding soybeans went to China in the first seven months of 2026, far short of the prorated pace implied by Beijing's $17 billion annual pledge.
The commitment was announced after Trump and Xi met in Beijing in May, when Washington said China would buy at least $17 billion a year of U.S. farm goods through 2028.
Current purchases are only slightly above the same period last year, when U.S.-China tit-for-tat tariffs pushed sales to a six-year low.
The shortfall could sharpen tensions at Trump and Xi's summit this week, reviving a recurring dispute over Chinese promises to buy American farm products.