Bessent emphasized that the provisional accord still requires final approval from both heads of state but expressed optimism that the major points have been settled. “I think we have a substantial framework for the two leaders,” he said, noting that the meeting in Korea is expected to formalize the arrangement and set out a timetable for further technical talks.
The secretary also indicated progress on agricultural trade, specifically the resumption of Chinese purchases of American soybeans. China suspended large-scale soybean imports from the United States during the prolonged trade dispute, creating uncertainty for growers across the Midwest. The American Soybean Association has noted that China bought more than 50 percent of all U.S. soybean exports in 2023 and 2024, making it farmers’ single largest overseas market.
“When the announcement of the deal with China is made public, our soybean farmers will feel very good about what’s going on, both for this season and the coming seasons,” Bessent said. While he did not release volume targets or pricing details, he suggested that future commitments would cover multiple crop years, offering producers greater visibility as they plan plantings and equipment purchases. Historical data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture show that soybean exports totaled roughly $30 billion in 2024, underscoring the stakes for the domestic farm sector.
Beyond trade, Bessent addressed the ongoing federal government shutdown, now the second-longest in U.S. history. He dismissed calls for renewed bipartisan talks that would extend pandemic-era health-care subsidies set to expire at year’s end, arguing that Senate Democrats have stalled efforts to pass a short-term funding measure. “Fifty-two Republican senators have voted 11 times to reopen the government, and three moderate Democrats have joined them,” he said, urging additional Democrats to break ranks and support the existing proposal.
Imagem: Internet
The shutdown has closed national parks, curtailed federal research activities and delayed pay for hundreds of thousands of government employees. Economists warn that prolonged closures tend to reduce quarterly growth by cutting consumer spending and slowing contract work.
The upcoming Trump–Xi meeting is viewed by analysts as a pivotal moment for the broader U.S.–China relationship, which has been strained by disputes over technology transfers, market access and geopolitical issues. If the leaders ratify the framework and outline next steps, negotiators are expected to turn to enforcement mechanisms, intellectual-property protections and sector-specific trade balances in the months that follow.
Both delegations are scheduled to arrive in Seoul early next week. Formal talks between lower-level officials are planned for the days leading up to Thursday’s presidential session, providing an opportunity to translate the political framework into draft language for a potential agreement. Observers note that similar efforts in previous rounds have faltered late in the process, but Bessent said the current momentum is “encouraging” and that the threat of immediate economic costs has given both sides incentives to conclude a deal.
Crédito da imagem: ABC News
