WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD News) — U.S. farmers could gain lower Chinese tariffs on a broad range of agricultural products under the new U.S.-China “30-for-30” framework, but commercial soybeans are notably absent. The two governments approved comparably valued product lists covering roughly $30 billion of annual trade in each direction, although each country still needs to take domestic legal action to implement the tariff reductions.
China’s list includes U.S. corn, wheat, sorghum, rice, and other grains. It also covers fresh and frozen beef, pork, poultry products, dairy products including milk powder, whey, butter, and cheese, along with peanuts, cotton, and numerous fruits, vegetables, and specialty crops.
One major commodity is missing. The Chinese list includes seed soybeans and soybean flour, but does not include the standard tariff line for non-seed soybeans used for crushing and food markets. That leaves the largest traditional U.S. agricultural export to China outside this initial tariff framework.
Cotton is included through the tariff line covering uncarded or uncombed cotton. The framework also includes live cattle and other livestock, breeding animals, seafood, nuts and many processed agricultural products, giving the package reach well beyond bulk grains.
The Board of Trade will review the covered products and may consider expanding the arrangement later. The two countries also established an agriculture working group focused on market-access barriers, creating another channel for agricultural trade discussions beyond tariffs.
American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Deputy Chief Economist Dr. Faith Parum joined us on Thursday’s Market Day Report to discuss the long-awaited trade agreement between the U.S. and China.
In her interview with RFD News, Parum explained that beyond the written trade agreement, the two countries are also working on a new agricultural group that could address non-tariff barriers to trade.
“Reductions in tariffs will help make it easier to trade with China and make our products more cost-competitive,” Parum said. “That will also look to see how we could reduce non-tariff barriers to trade into China, which will be really helpful for U.S. ag.”
Soybeans Remain a Major Gap
Whole soybeans are notably absent from China’s tariff-reduction list. Soybean products such as soybean oil and meal are included, but commercial soybeans remain subject to the additional tariff.
Parum says that is significant because China has historically been one of the most important markets for U.S. soybean exports.
“Historically, one of our most important exports to China, just in sheer volume, of course, all ag exports are important,” Parum said.
She also emphasized that the current product lists are not necessarily the final word on U.S.-China agricultural trade.
“These boards will continue to meet and decide how they can better improve U.S.-China trade relationships and how they can again reduce those tariffs and non-tariff barriers to trade,” Parum said.
Purchase Commitments Also in Focus
The $30-for-$30 framework is a tariff-reduction arrangement, not a purchase commitment, Parum said.
The distinction matters for agricultural producers because the two countries have also discussed specific U.S. agricultural purchase commitments.
Parum noted that China previously committed to purchasing at least 25 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans this year, along with $17 billion in other U.S. agricultural products.
The U.S. and China have also agreed to extend their broader trade truce until January 10, 2027, giving negotiators additional time to address remaining trade issues.
For soybean growers, the key question remains whether whole soybeans will eventually be included in additional tariff relief or supported through separate purchase commitments.
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