WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD NEWS) — President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a high-profile phone call focused on diplomatic and economic issues, including potential increases in China’s purchases of U.S. soybeans, a topic that sent soybean futures sharply higher in early trading after Trump’s announcement.
The call, described by Trump as “very positive,” touched on trade, security issues, and plans for future engagement between the two leaders.
Trump took to his Truth Social platform following the call, posting that he had just completed an “excellent” conversation with Xi in which they discussed a range of subjects — including trade, Taiwan, and agricultural purchases — and said China was considering buying about 20 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans this season and up to 25 million metric tons next season.
That post helped spark an intra-day rally in soybean futures, bringing prices to their highest levels of 2026 before settling back somewhat later in the session.
While Trump emphasized the strength of his personal relationship with Xi and framed China’s interest in U.S. agricultural purchases as a positive outcome, the Chinese government’s statements focused on broader diplomatic concerns, such as Taiwan and regional stability, and offered no specific confirmation of purchase commitments from Beijing.
Market analysts noted that despite the rally, China’s actual buying behavior remains uncertain, particularly given ongoing competition from cheaper Brazilian soybeans and structural trade patterns that have shifted China’s import mix in recent years.
Farm-Level Takeaway: The phone call injected optimism into the soybean market, but actual Chinese buying and its timing will ultimately determine the extent of U.S. agricultural export benefits.
Tony St. James, RFD NEWS Markets Specialist
Expanded school access to whole milk provides modest but reliable demand support for U.S. dairy producers.
January 15, 2026 10:14 AM
·
Roger McEowen with the Washburn University School of Law joined us to provide legal analysis on key cases shaping the agricultural landscape heading into the year ahead.
January 14, 2026 01:49 PM
·
RFD News correspondent Frank McCaffrey reports from Texas on the ongoing water dispute and its implications for U.S. farmers.
January 14, 2026 12:17 PM
·
RealAg Radio host Shaun Haney discusses the latest developments in the Supreme Court, trade tariffs, and the future of the USMCA under President Donald Trump.
January 14, 2026 11:54 AM
·
The American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2026 agenda centers on labor stability, biosecurity, and economic resilience for family farms. Expanded DMC coverage improves risk protection for dairy operations facing tighter margins.
January 14, 2026 11:19 AM
·
A high-stakes legal case in a South Dakota federal court concerning misleading country-of-origin labeling (MCOOL), such as “Product of the USA,” on food products, will significantly impact U.S. agricultural policy for years to come.
January 14, 2026 09:00 AM
·
Freight volatility increasingly determines export margins, making logistics costs as important as price in marketing decisions.
January 14, 2026 06:00 AM
·
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller today unveiled a bold plan to protect the nation’s prime farm and ranchland from the rapid spread of data centers.
January 13, 2026 03:36 PM
China’s beef policy risk stems from domestic volatility, making export demand inherently unstable. Jake Charleston with Specialty Risk Insurance offers his perspective on cattle markets, risk management, and producer sentiment.
January 13, 2026 02:13 PM
·
