A trade war begun by President Donald Trump early in his second term led China to halt its purchases of American soybeans.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says China is making progress on its commitment to buy U.S. soybeans, hitting the “correct cadence,” with purchases expected to wrap by February 2026 — underscoring ongoing trade commitments and support for farmers.

This week’s headlines brought what could be the biggest shift in grain market sentiment we’ve seen all year — a U.S.–China trade agreement that reopens the door for soybean, sorghum and other agricultural exports. The announcement comes at a ...

Farmers have backed Trump politically, but his aggressive trade policies and frequently changing tariff rates have come under increasing scrutiny because of the impact on the agricultural sector and because of broader consumer worries.

China will ramp up efforts to expand imports and develop balanced trade in the next five years, Commerce Minister Wang Wentao said in an interview with state news agency Xinhua on Friday.

Both deals were signed in October during President Donald Trump’s visit to Malaysia. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

China complained to Malaysia and Cambodia about the trade deals they signed with the US last month, underscoring the delicate balance countries must strike in the rivalry between Beijing and Washington.

For instance, Chinese distant-water fishing firm CNFC Overseas Fishery, which mainly targets squid and tuna, reported it received CNY 267 million (USD 37.7 million, EUR 32.4 million) in government subsidies in the first half of 2025, helping the firm to record a profit of CNY 53 million (USD 7.5 million, EUR 6.4 million) during the period.

Southeast Asian nations are caught between US and China trade deals, as Beijing counters Washington's agreements in the region. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.