Xi Came to Washington. American Farmers and Fishermen Got a Foot in China's Door
China put $30 billion of American goods on a list for better tariff treatment and pledged to buy U.S. coal. In our view, it is a real opening, but no tariff has been cut yet, soybeans were left out, and Washington must now turn paper into policy.
By Clara Hughes
ALTAS WORLD NEWS OPINION | By Clara Hughes, Senior Features Writer | October 5, 2026 | 6-min read For years, trade with Beijing has felt lopsided to many American producers. China shipped us toys, gadgets and Christmas lights, while American farmers, fishermen and loggers faced tariffs and barriers at China's door. Last month, during Xi Jinping's state visit to Washington, that door opened a crack. In our view, the job now is to push it all the way open, and to be honest about how far there is still to go. Key Takeaways The new U.S.-China Board of Trade recommended "more favorable tariff treatment" for $30 billion of non-sensitive goods in each direction. China also agreed to buy at least 10 million metric tons of U.S. coal in 2027 and again in 2028 [1]. These are recommendations, not tariff cuts. On Oct. 1, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said there is no timeline for cutting the tariffs [4]. In our view, this is the right approach: reciprocal, measured and by the book. But soybeans were left off China's list, and only follow-through will show whether it works. Here is why this matters. Greer says the deal would unlock improved market access for "about 30 percent of U.S. exports to China," from farm goods to medical devices [2]. That could be a real opening for American producers. But a list is a promise on paper. The test is whether it turns into lower tariffs at the port. What Was Actually Agreed The Board of Trade was chartered at the May 2026 summit in Beijing. According to the White House fact sheet of Sept. 25, the two countries "reached consensus on recommendations for more favorable tariff treatment for $30 billion of non-sensitive goods in each direction" [1]. On the American export side, the goods include "agricultural goods, fish and seafood, logs and wood products, cosmetics and medical devices" [1]. Reuters reported that China's list would trim duties on corn, wheat, sorghum, meat, dairy, vegetable oils and meals [3]. On the import side, the…