US President Donald Trump told a White House farm roundtable that Chinese President Xi Jinping questioned his claim that American soybeans are “more nutritious” than foreign crops. Trump said Xi asked if the remark was “a Trump statement or real,” noting he had never heard it before.
Trump shared the exchange while discussing his plan to release $12 billion in farm aid. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and several farmers attended the December 8 meeting. Trump also spoke about his October 30 meeting with Xi in Busan, South Korea.
China has increased soybean purchases after Trump cut tariffs on Chinese imports by 10 percent. The rate dropped from 57 percent to 47 percent. Beijing agreed to work with Washington on the fentanyl crisis after the tariff change.
China has bought at least 840,000 metric tons of soybeans for December and January delivery, according to Reuters. Trump said China committed to buying more than $40 billion worth of soybeans. He also said he asked Xi to exceed that figure.
The farm aid plan comes as Trump faces rising criticism over tariffs and living costs. He admitted there is an affordability “problem,” after calling it a “hoax” in recent weeks.
