Chinese and U.S. officials confirm the “ink is dry,” as a new trade deal has officially been signed. The news came during a White House event last night.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick says the deal was reached earlier this week and is based on earlier trade talks in London. It codifies those terms and includes a commitment from China to send rare earth materials to the United States. Lutnick also told reporters that the U.S. would lift countermeasures but only once the minerals are delivered.
This deal did not mention any specific agricultural products, but officials say they will remain in close contact.
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China’s buying decisions continue to be a critical factor in shaping cotton prices and export opportunities worldwide.
Speaking about his administration’s tariff strategy, Trump acknowledged that producers could face financial strain in the short term but promised stopgap support.
U.S. soybean farmers are growing increasingly frustrated by Argentina’s gains in Chinese grain contracts and Trump’s pledge of economic support for the South American ally.
Argentina hopes to boost demand, but critics see the move as a blow to American farmers.
China is making strategic moves by purchasing more soybeans from Argentina and may soon follow the EU and reopen its market to Brazilian chicken exports.
Rollins says the new trade relationship with Taiwan, which is committed to buying a significant amount of U.S. soy, could not come at a better time for farmers facing financial strain.
Higher tariffs may shield some U.S. crops but risk retaliation, lost markets, and higher costs for growers. The WTO disputes highlight the fragile balance between trade policy, farm exports, and input supply chains.
USMEF CEO Dan Halstrom joined us on Monday’s Market Day Report for his analysis on the U.S.-Taiwan trade agreement, which includes big bucks for U.S. Beef.
