Soybeans jump as Trump urges China to buy more.
Soybean prices climbed on Monday after former U.S. President Donald Trump said he wanted China to purchase more American soybeans, fueling hopes of increased export demand. Traders said the remarks, made during a campaign stop, added optimism to grain markets already watching weather patterns in key growing regions. Analysts noted that any renewed buying from China could help U.S. farmers amid ongoing trade and economic uncertainties.
Soybean Prices Surge Over 2% as Trump Urges China to Quadruple U.S. Orders
Canberra – Chicago soybean futures jumped more than 2% on Monday after former U.S. President Donald Trump publicly urged China to dramatically increase its purchases of American soybeans, sparking optimism among traders that fresh export demand could be on the horizon.
Speaking on Truth Social, Trump said he hoped Beijing would “quickly quadruple” its soybean orders from the United States, adding that such a move would help address China’s supply needs while also narrowing its trade deficit with Washington.
The comments came against the backdrop of ongoing trade talks between U.S. and Chinese officials, which have been closely watched by agricultural markets. Relations between the two nations have been strained in recent years, leading China — the world’s largest importer of soybeans — to pivot much of its sourcing toward South American producers such as Brazil and Argentina.
The rally was notable because prices had been relatively flat earlier in the session, with the upward momentum kicking in shortly after Trump’s post circulated among traders.
Market analysts said Trump’s remarks, while not an official policy statement, nevertheless carried weight because of his influence in farm states and his long-standing interest in agricultural trade with China. “Even though he’s not in office, his statements can spark a sentiment shift,” one grain market strategist explained. “This was a case of the market reacting to the potential for more Chinese buying, even if it’s speculative at this stage.”
The soybean market has been under pressure for months due to ample global supply and stiff competition from South America, where recent harvests have been strong. But U.S. exporters have recently seen a flicker of renewed interest. weekly export sales of soybeans, corn, and wheat coming in higher than expected last week.
Adding to the bullish mood, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has reported several “flash sales” of corn to overseas buyers in recent days, further signaling that American grain is finding takers at current price levels.
Corn and wheat futures also edged higher on Monday, supported by the stronger export data and ongoing concerns over global supply chains. Weather conditions in key growing regions, particularly in the U.S. Midwest and parts of South America, remain a wildcard that could influence prices in the weeks ahead.
For China, soybeans are a critical import, mainly used to produce animal feed for its massive pork, poultry, and aquaculture sectors. Any disruption in supply — whether due to weather, geopolitics, or price shifts — can ripple through global markets. The country’s decision to rely more heavily on South American beans in recent years was partly a strategic move to diversify suppliers amid tariff disputes with the U.S., but it has also been influenced by seasonal availability and pricing.
While traders are cautious about reading too much into Trump’s comments, the market reaction underscores how sensitive agricultural commodities are to political signals. If China were to follow through on the idea of quadrupling U.S. soybean purchases, it would represent a significant shift in trade flows and could provide a major boost to American farmers heading into the next harvest season.
For now, the market will be watching both the tone of U.S.–China trade talks and official purchase data in the coming weeks to see whether Monday’s price surge has staying power — or if it was just a politically fueled blip in an otherwise cautious trading environment.