Trump Xi trade deal boosts Chinas pledge to buy more US goods

Trump and Xi hold a positive call as China agrees to speed up purchases of US goods, signaling renewed momentum in the US-China trade deal.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has “essentially agreed” to increase and accelerate the purchase of American goods, former US President Donald Trump said following what both sides described as a constructive phone conversation.

Speaking aboard Air Force One on Tuesday evening, Trump told reporters that he requested faster Chinese purchases during the call — a request to which Xi “more or less agreed”.

A ‘Positive and Constructive’ Call Between Trump and Xi

China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that Washington initiated the conversation, calling the exchange “positive, friendly and constructive.” Beijing said regular communication between the two leaders is vital to maintaining stable and predictable China-US relations.

The call came just weeks after Trump and Xi met in South Korea and agreed on a broad framework for what could become a new trade deal, though several details still need to be finalised.

China Signals Renewed Purchases of US Farm Products

Beijing had already announced plans to resume buying American soybeans and to halt additional restrictions on rare earth exports — steps seen as confidence-building measures following months of tariff disputes.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent earlier stated that China committed to purchasing 12 million metric tonnes of American soybeans this year. But according to US Department of Agriculture data reported by Reuters, Chinese orders so far total only around two million tonnes, well below the expected pace.

Trump, however, remained optimistic, saying he believes Xi’s actions “will pleasantly surprise us.”

Leaders Also Discuss Taiwan, Security, and Global Issues

During the call, Xi reportedly emphasized that Taiwan’s return to China remains a part of the post-World War II global order — a stance repeated often by Beijing. China considers Taiwan a breakaway province and has not renounced the use of force to achieve unification.

The United States, following its longstanding policy, opposes any forceful takeover and continues to supply Taiwan with weapons under domestic law. The Trump administration has maintained strategic ambiguity about whether US troops would intervene if conflict breaks out.

Trump later posted on Truth Social that the leaders discussed a range of issues, including Ukraine, fentanyl trafficking, and US agricultural exports. He described the conversation as “very good,” maintaining that US-China relations are “extremely strong.”

Reciprocal State Visits Planned

Trump also revealed that he accepted Xi Jinping’s invitation to visit Beijing in April and extended an invitation for Xi to make a state visit to the United States later in the year. Both sides appear eager to stabilize relations and prevent further escalation in trade and security tensions.

My Analysis: What This Means for Global Trade

From a strategic standpoint, the renewed communication signals a potential cooling of US-China trade hostilities. Faster Chinese purchases of American goods — especially soybeans — could provide relief to US farmers while offering Beijing leverage in broader negotiations.

However, unresolved issues such as Taiwan, technology restrictions, and security competition remain major obstacles. Any long-term easing of tensions will depend on sustained dialogue and concrete follow-through on trade commitments.