{
  "id": 17777075,
  "title": "China’s slow buying of US farm goods tests US$17bil trade pledge",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/02/chinas-slow-buying-of-us-farm-goods-tests-us-17bil-trade-pledge",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-02T09:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/business/2026/11/02/china-s-slow-buying-of-us-farm-goods-tests-us-17bil-trade-pledge"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "China is meeting its target for purchasing US soybeans, but its buying of other US farm goods is on track to be its lowest in seven years, according to a Reuters analysis of customs data. In the first nine months of the year, China spent $7.2 billion on US agricultural imports beyond soybeans, compared to the $17 billion pledge made in May. This lag in purchases comes as US farmers face challenges such as high fuel prices and a drop in demand for other commodities, causing frustration among the farming community. The White House had announced in May that Beijing would commit to buying $17 billion worth of US agricultural goods annually, starting in 2026, with this year's target proportionally allocated. While China meets its soybean target, it bought only $7.2 billion worth of other farm products from January to September, marking the lowest level of imports since 2019. The sluggish buying is deepening concerns about a surge in imports this year, affecting US farmers and the political landscape as Democrats seek to win over heartland voters.",
  "summary": "China’s slow purchases have raised doubts about a rise in imports this year, frustrating US farmers facing high fuel costs and giving Democrats an opportunity to win rural voters ahead of Tuesday’s midterm elections.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
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        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/02/chinas-president-and-omans-sultan-discuss-stronger-ties-witness",
        "published": "2026-11-02T07:13:02.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Jerusalem Post",
        "title": "Xi Jinping warns against great-power conflict in the Gulf as China, Oman eye trade pact",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/02/xi-jinping-warns-against-great-power-conflict-in-the-gulf-as-china",
        "published": "2026-11-02T07:46:51.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al-Monitor",
        "title": "China's foreign minister pushes for dialogue to resolve Middle East conflict",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/02/chinas-foreign-minister-pushes-for-dialogue-to-resolve-middle-east",
        "published": "2026-11-02T09:46:33.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}