U.S. Trade Rep Revises China Soybean Timeline, Cites Discrepancy With White House Fact Sheet

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said Tuesday that a previously published timeline for China to meet its commitment to purchase U.S. soybeans has shifted from the end of the calendar year to the end of the "growing season." The clarification surfaced during Greer's testimony before the Senate Appropriations Committee in Washington.

Sen. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) pressed Greer to "walk me through how you are monitoring China's purchases," specifically asking whether the 12 million metric ton target remained set for the end of the calendar year. Greer responded:

"It is for this growing season."

The Trade Representative's statement creates a public discrepancy with a White House fact sheet published Nov. 1 after a meeting between Presidents Xi Jinping and Donald Trump. That fact sheet said, "China will purchase at least 12 million metric tons (MMT) of U.S. soybeans during the last two months of 2025," and pledged at least 25 MMT annually in 2026–2028.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture notes that most American soybeans are planted in May and June and harvested in September and October — context that officials and farmers cite when discussing what constitutes the "growing season." Greer acknowledged farmers had flagged the inconsistency: "We've heard from a couple of farmers — they want to know about that discrepancy. And it is a discrepancy." His office did not immediately respond to requests for additional comment.

President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping at Gimhae Air Base in South Korea on Oct. 30. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds / AFP via Getty Images)

Since the late-October meeting between Trump and Xi, China has resumed purchases of U.S. soybeans in multiple waves. NBC News data show China had purchased roughly 2.85 MMT of U.S. soybeans since October, and the Agriculture Department said private exporters had booked an additional 132,000 metric tons for shipment to China.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has also used the term "growing season" when describing the deadline, saying China was "in a perfect cadence to complete" the 12 MMT goal and suggesting the purchases could be finished by Feb. 28.

Why It Matters: The timing affects farmers' planning and cash flow. Many growers were hit hard during the U.S.-China trade war when Beijing halted purchases, and the White House on Monday announced a $12 billion aid package for farmers, including $11 billion in direct payments, as trade with China resumes.

Background: This report is based on testimony to the Senate Appropriations Committee and reporting originally published on NBCNews.com.