China News Updates

The warming of ties between the U.S. and China have boosted crop prices, with soybeans hovering near the highest levels since June 2024.

The Trump administration intends to release its long-awaited plan to offer relief for beleaguered farmers early next month, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said Nov. 19.

Electric trucks now outsell LNG models in China, so its demand for fossil fuels could fall, and "in other countries, it might never take off,” according to an analyst.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Nov. 18 announced the sale of 792,000 tons of soybeans to China for the 2025-2026 marketing year, the biggest daily purchase in two years.

“It will definitely be positive for the cost of logistics,” said Mohammed Akoojee. “Up until now, the trade war has increased the cost of logistics in terms of freight rates and duties.”

Soybean futures jumped on signals that China is stepping up buying of the oilseed, offering hope for U.S. farmers after purchases appeared to have stalled.

After a flurry of orders late last month — which were the first of this season — Chinese imports of U.S. cargoes seem to have faltered, according to traders who asked not to be identified.

The pause is fueling uncertainty over whether the biggest consumer of American soybeans will import as much as President Donald Trump’s administration claims to expect.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum’s plan to impose steep tariffs on Chinese imports has been delayed until at least December as mounting opposition stalls congressional debate.

China said Nov. 10 it is making good on its pledge to crack down on chemicals that can be used to make fentanyl, a key issue for Donald Trump during recent talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.