What specific US agricultural products are Chinese officials discussing purchasing ahead of the Trump-Xi summit, and what is the strategic context of these talks?

Chinese officials are in discussions with US counterparts to purchase American corn, sorghum, distillers dried grains, and soybeans—products confirmed by traders briefed on the matter. These negotiations are taking place amid efforts to preserve a fragile trade truce and are intended to culminate in a final deal during President Trump’s first state visit to China since 2017, where he is scheduled to meet President Xi Jinping. The corn trade, if realized, would serve as part of Beijing’s broader bargaining strategy, using agricultural purchases to gain leverage in wider negotiations with Washington.

Why is China considering buying US corn now, despite ongoing tariffs and limited imports over the past two years?

China is considering US corn purchases because domestic prices have risen following crop damage from heavy rains last year, and first-quarter imports—mostly from Brazil and Russia—have tripled year-on-year, making US cargoes more attractive even with the remaining 10% tariff. This comes after US corn shipments effectively halted at Chinese customs since mid-2025, and after China’s overall corn import demand collapsed from 28.4 million tons in 2021 to just 2.65 million tons last year due to a faltering economy and weakened demand for foreign grain.

China, US Discuss Corn Purchases Ahead of Trump-Xi Summit

May 12, 2026

Chinese officials are negotiating with US counterparts to purchase American crops like corn and soybeans during President Trump's upcoming visit. The deal aims to revive agricultural trade flows amidst strained geopolitical ties and fluctuating domestic grain prices.

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