Corn, soybean prices hinge on uncertain US-China trade deal

Both commodities continue to see wide price swings depending on whether traders believe China will follow through on commitments to buy US goods.

May 19, 2026

Vast green agricultural field with neat crop rows under blue sky and white clouds

Allexxandar | BigStock.com

Corn and soybeans experienced another price roller coaster over the weekend as hopes that China would buy large quantities of U.S. agricultural goods evaporated — and then revived late Sunday.

The Trump administration announced on May 17 that China will purchase at least $17 billion per year of U.S. agricultural products in 2026, 2027 and 2028, in addition to the 25 million tons the Trump administration claims China agreed to purchase in October 2025. That soybean purchase has yet to materialize, and many market analysts continue to doubt China needs so many U.S. soybeans.

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