China Snaps Up First US Soybean Cargoes of Season in Strategic Move

Beijing makes its opening agricultural play of the season—grabbing two US soybean shipments as global supply chains recalibrate.

The Commodity Chessboard

China's timing screams strategic positioning. Two cargoes might seem modest, but they signal renewed engagement with US agricultural markets after seasonal dormancy. Watch the shipping lanes—where soybeans travel, economic currents often follow.

Agricultural assets demonstrating more predictable returns than your average crypto portfolio this quarter. At least soybeans don't crash 30% before breakfast.

China Briefly Resumes US Soybeans Purchase

The US soybeans shipment has been booked by China for delivery later this year, reported Bloomberg. The purchase comes as the US and Chinese officials laid the groundwork for the trade deal in Malaysia. This paved the way for Donald TRUMP and Xi Jinping to finalize the trade deal in South Korea. Insiders suggest that once the trade deal is passed, Trump will likely roll back the tariffs.

Even Jinping could cut down on retaliatory tariffs, which he imposed after the Liberation Day. The rollback WOULD include tariffs, fees, and export restrictions that plagued the smooth flow of goods. China had been procuring soybeans from Brazil and Argentina this year, sidelining the US.

From 2020 to 2024 alone, China had purchased nearly 55 million metric tons of US soybeans. This came to a screeching halt after the trade wars, and Xi Jinping Leveraged the development as a bargaining chip. American farmers were reeling under pressure as China was their biggest buyer. This put the Trump administration under the lens as it had to deliver a deal to the farmers.

The record shipment was purchased mostly from South American countries, drying up sales in the US. However, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said during the Weekend that he expects China to makesoybeans purchases. He made the statement when American and Chinese negotiators were coming to terms in Malaysia. “We expect that China will have to resume those purchases if they want to have a good deal with the United States,” he said on Fox News Sunday.