USTR Greer: China Is Meeting Terms of New Agreements
Greer says Beijing is “in compliance so far” as soybean purchases progress, but key deal elements still unfinished
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said Sunday that China is complying with the trade commitments made in recent bilateral agreements, emphasizing that the terms are “quite specific” and closely monitored by Washington.
Speaking on Fox News’ The Sunday Briefing, Greer said the U.S. is able to verify China’s actions “with some ease,” adding that “so far, we’re seeing that they’re in compliance.”
Greer noted China is roughly one-third of the way through its pledged soybean purchases for the current growing season — an area of intense scrutiny after Bloomberg reporting showed buying stalled following a burst of orders in late October.
This also comes amid errant conjecture recently that there is no agreement for China to purchase U.S. soybeans (link to The Week Ahead).
The broader U.S./China agreement reached by President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping in late October included extending the tariff truce, easing export controls, and lowering trade barriers. Some components, however — including soybean buy commitments, the TikTok sale process, and expanded rare-earth export licensing — remain unresolved. It will be interesting to see how some private ag industry analysts and “news” reports comment on this development.
Greer and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent held a video call Friday with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, described by China’s Xinhua News Agency as “in-depth and constructive,” with both sides pledging to maintain stable economic ties and address mutual concerns.
Bessent told CBS’ Face the Nation on Sunday that while China is not expected to accelerate its soybean buying pace, the purchases should still occur this crop season. He also said soybean prices have risen 12%–15% since the agreement was reached and noted he divested from a soybean farm to comply with ethics rules.
USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins reiterated last week that the administration’s long-awaited farm-aid package will be announced this coming week.
Greer also signaled caution regarding potential technology transfers to China, saying the U.S. must ensure national security concerns outweigh corporate bottom lines — especially as the Trump administration continues to weigh restrictions on advanced chip exports. “Policymakers need to make sure national security is placed first and foremost,” Greer said, noting that discussions continue over which chip technologies should remain restricted.
