China
Weekend release of White House fact sheet combined with comments from Beijing dispel disappointment
After more than a year of waiting, China granted 5-year registration extensions to 425 U.S. beef plants and added new approvals. The move follows Trump–Xi talks in China this week, signaling a trade breakthrough.
A stream of potentially market-moving events offers important test after a pullback from recent highs.
Cotton futures hit contract highs as short covering lifted prices, but weak demand and rising costs are keeping profitability out of reach. Texas Tech’s Darren Hudson breaks down what it means for growers heading into 2026.
Trump postpones his China summit, citing ongoing Middle East tensions and the need to remain in Washington, while officials say China is supportive of rescheduling the meeting.
An official with the Chinese embassy in the U.S. confirms President Trump and Chinese President Xi might be getting ready to sign a permanent trade deal when they meet in China in April.
Beyond China’s political goodwill purchases and Brazil’s soybean showdown, the U.S. is eyeing a 30% surge in domestic processing. To stay resilient, farmers are advised to focus on profit margins rather than volume.
The December Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor shows the farm economy will likely stay strained into 2026. As crops face tight margins, biofuels policy — especially E15 and biomass-based diesel — could influence recovery.
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.
China’s pledge to buy 12 MMT of U.S. soybeans is facing questions over timing, storage capacity and price competitiveness, leaving markets uncertain whether the full promise can be met before year-end.