Trump says China agrees to boost U.S. goods purchases

U.S. President Donald Trump says Chinese President Xi Jinping “more or less agreed” to speed up and increase purchases of American goods, aiming to strengthen trade ties amid ongoing U.S.-China tensions.

During a phone call on Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump urged Chinese President Xi Jinping to accelerate and expand Beijing’s purchases of U.S. goods. Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that Xi had “more or less agreed” to the request, expressing confidence that actual actions could exceed expectations.

China has already resumed buying U.S. soybeans and halted its expanded curbs on rare earth exports, though the pace of purchases has been slower than initially anticipated.

The U.S.-China trade relationship has been strained for years, with disputes over tariffs, technology transfers, and market access. Previous trade deals under Trump’s administration included commitments from China to increase imports of American goods, but implementation has often lagged. Recent negotiations focus on both agricultural products and high-tech components, critical for U.S. manufacturing and supply chains.

Economists say accelerated Chinese purchases could help reduce the U.S. trade deficit and support American exporters, particularly in agriculture and industrial sectors. However, the vagueness of Trump’s statement — “more or less agreed” — leaves uncertainty about timing, scope, and enforcement mechanisms. Analysts caution that without concrete deadlines or verification measures, actual trade flows may continue to fall short of the promises, limiting the potential economic impact.

Additionally, any boost in Chinese imports could influence global commodity markets, including soybeans and rare earths, and may affect U.S.-China relations ahead of other trade and geopolitical negotiations in the Asia-Pacific region.