KSA Supports Trade Pact Boosting U.S. Soybean Exports

By Blake Jackson

The Kentucky Soybean Association (KSA) has expressed support for the Trump administration’s recent actions aimed at prioritizing Kentucky and U.S. soybean farmers in the newly announced U.S.-China trade agreement.

After months of uncertainty regarding China’s purchase of American soybeans and other agricultural goods, KSA says the news brings optimism to Kentucky farm families that depend on open market access to maintain strong soybean demand.

According to a White House fact sheet, China has agreed to buy at least 12 million metric tons (MMT) of U.S. soybeans during the final two months of 2025. This amounts to roughly 441 million bushels. The KSA noted that framing this figure as a minimum commitment is encouraging, though it still represents less than half of China’s previous annual purchase volumes.

The fact sheet also revealed that China plans to purchase a minimum of 25 MMT of U.S. soybeans annually in 2026, 2027, and 2028. In addition, China will resume importing U.S. sorghum and hardwood logs.

Another key aspect of the agreement includes China taking significant measures to stop the flow of fentanyl to the United States by halting shipments of certain chemicals to North America and tightening export controls on others worldwide.

“We need China as a market, and we are thankful that they’re buying U.S. beans again. But this purchase, or any one purchase, isn’t the magic bullet that will end the farm economy crisis. Purchase commitments don’t necessarily mean real sales, like we have seen with China not meeting the purchase minimums they agreed to in the Phase One deal," said KSA President Jonathan Reynolds, who farms near Clinton said.

"We have to diversify our markets, and I for one think that keeping more U.S. soybeans here and increasing our domestic crush for uses in the biofuels market is another step in the right direction.”

The KSA also noted that China will suspend all retaliatory tariffs imposed since March 4, 2025, covering a broad range of U.S. agricultural products including soybeans, corn, beef, dairy, and more.

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