President Trump returned from China with a stack of trade commitments that the White House is calling “historic.” The headline numbers are genuinely large: at least 200 Boeing aircraft, $17 billion per year in US agricultural purchases, and restored market access for hundreds of American beef producers.
What’s in the deal
The agreement centers on three pillars. First, China committed to purchasing at least 200 Boeing aircraft. Second, Beijing agreed to buy at least $17 billion worth of US agricultural products annually from 2026 through 2028. Third, the deal restores access for over 400 US beef facilities to the Chinese market.
Beyond the product-specific commitments, the two countries also established new Boards of Trade and Investment to oversee bilateral economic issues on an ongoing basis.
The credibility gap
