China Agrees to Buy 10 Million Tons of US Coal Annually Following Trump-Xi Summit

China has agreed to purchase at least 10 million metric tons of American coal in 2027 and another 10 million metric tons in 2028 as the United States and China move forward with new trade agreements following President Trump’s meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The coal commitment was announced following Xi’s three-day state visit to Washington, where the two leaders discussed trade, energy, agriculture, technology and several other major issues affecting relations between the two countries. The agreement would result in China purchasing at least 20 million metric tons of American coal over the two-year period.
The United States and China also agreed to pursue more favorable tariff treatment covering approximately $30 billion worth of non-sensitive goods moving in each direction. The agreement is being handled through the U.S.-China Board of Trade, which was established following Trump and Xi’s earlier summit in Beijing.

American products covered by the tariff agreement include agricultural goods, seafood, timber, cosmetics and medical devices. Chinese products include consumer goods such as small appliances, toys, holiday decorations and children’s car seats.

Agriculture will also receive additional attention as the two governments establish a working group focused on addressing barriers preventing products from reaching each other’s markets. Agricultural trade has remained a major component of negotiations between Washington and Beijing.

The two countries also established a Board of Investment designed to provide a formal channel for discussing investment opportunities and resolving obstacles affecting companies operating in both markets. Discussions are also continuing over rare earths and other critical minerals as the United States seeks more reliable access to materials important to manufacturing and technology.

Energy was another major subject during the talks. President Trump encouraged Xi to increase China’s production of refined petroleum products in an effort to help stabilize global supplies, while the new coal commitment provides American producers with a significant export market over the next two years.

The two governments also agreed to continue discussions involving emerging technologies, including a new bilateral dialogue focused on artificial intelligence. Additional talks are expected before the end of the year as Washington and Beijing continue working through broader economic and security disagreements.

The coal agreement represents one of the clearest trade commitments to emerge from Xi’s visit. China’s pledge to purchase at least 10 million metric tons of American coal in each of the next two years adds another major U.S. export to the expanding economic agreements between the two countries.