Stories
US-China Trade Deal: 4 Months On, Progress on Boeing & Soybeans, Snags on Tariffs & Rare Earth.
- •The May trade deal is under discussion ahead of the meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
- •The deal for 200 Boeing aircraft is not yet fully finalized, though 140 aircraft are in good standing.
- •Soybean purchases have accelerated in agricultural trade, but the overall agricultural purchase target remains unclear.
- •Tariff reductions worth approximately $30 billion are still pending, with both countries working towards implementation.
- •Key issues like the Trade Board, Investment Board, and rare earth dispute are still under discussion.
Key Questions Answered
The 200 Boeing aircraft deal agreed upon in May has not yet been fully finalized. According to US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, about 140 aircraft are in good standing, and documentation is being prepared for another 10.
Agricultural trade has shown rapid progress in soybean purchases, with Chinese buyers purchasing about 1 million tons in a single week in September. However, total agricultural exports are estimated to be around $21.5 billion for fiscal year 2027, which falls short of the combined $30 billion target from the agreements.
The current US-China trade agreement is set to expire on November 10, 2026. Unresolved issues include pending $30 billion tariff reductions, slow progress on the Investment Board, ongoing framework talks for the Trade Board, and continuing disputes over rare earth supply and export licenses.
