China Agrees to Buy $17 Billion in U.S. Beef & Poultry Annually: Historic Trade Deal Unveiled

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The White House announced Sunday that China has agreed to boost U.S. Agricultural exports, including beef and poultry, with annualized purchases of $17 billion per year for 2026, 2027, and 2028. The deal, finalized two days after President Donald Trump’s high-stakes summit in Beijing, aims to ease pressure on American farmers still recovering from the trade war that began in 2025.

Key components of the agreement include:

• Market access restoration: China will resume imports of U.S. Beef and poultry from states certified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as free of avian influenza.
• Beef exports: Hundreds of U.S. Beef processing facilities—including those operated by Tyson Foods and Cargill—will regain export eligibility to China. The move follows Beijing’s expiration of licenses for these plants last year, which reduced 2025 U.S. Beef exports to China to less than $500 million from a peak of $2.14 billion in 2022.
• Poultry exports: U.S. Poultry products will return to Chinese markets, with 2025 exports at $286 million—down from over $1 billion in 2022.
• Soybean commitments: The agreement builds on China’s 2025 pledge to purchase 12 million metric tons of U.S. Soybeans this marketing year (ending August 31) and 25 million metric tons annually for the next three years. As of May 7, the U.S. Had exported 10.9 million metric tons, putting China on track to meet its current commitment.

The White House framed the deal as a partial relief for U.S. Farmers, many of whom faced severe losses after China slashed imports following Trump’s tariff hikes. Data from the USDA shows China’s agricultural imports from the U.S. Plummeted from $38 billion in 2022 to $8 billion in 2025, with soybean purchases dropping from $18 billion to $3 billion over the same period.

China’s Ministry of Commerce confirmed the agreement in a statement Saturday, noting that both sides would “resolve or make substantial progress toward resolving certain non-tariff barriers and market access issues” for agricultural goods. The ministry added that the U.S. Would address Chinese concerns over detained dairy products, seafood, potted bonsai exports, and Shandong province’s bird-flu-free status, while China would address U.S. Concerns about beef processing facility registrations and poultry export restrictions.

Beyond tariff reductions, the two countries agreed to establish separate trade and investment boards to streamline discussions on “non-sensitive goods” and investment-related issues. The White House described the boards as a framework for resolving disputes and expanding market access, though details remain scant.

During the summit, Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized economic cooperation as a counterbalance to broader tensions, including the U.S.-led war against Iran, which has disrupted global shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The conflict has sent fertilizer prices soaring—a blow to farmers already struggling with reduced Chinese demand.

Scott Metzger, president of the American Soybean Association, welcomed the soybean commitments but called for “additional purchases this marketing year” to restore confidence among farmers. “Greater certainty in the marketplace helps provide farmers with the confidence they need as they make decisions for the year ahead,” Metzger said.

Analysts caution that the $17 billion figure may not fully offset losses from the trade war. China has diversified its agricultural imports, increasingly sourcing soybeans, beef, and other commodities from Brazil, Argentina, and other nations. U.S. Soybean exports to China had once accounted for nearly half of total U.S. Agricultural exports to the country but now trail behind pre-trade-war levels.

The agreement also reflects broader efforts by both governments to stabilize trade relations amid geopolitical strains. While the White House highlighted progress, Chinese officials did not immediately confirm the $17 billion figure, instead emphasizing “substantial progress” on non-tariff barriers.

For U.S. Farmers, the deal offers a glimmer of relief—but one tempered by lingering uncertainty. With global fertilizer costs elevated and shipping routes disrupted, the path to full recovery remains uncertain.