Full Breakdown
Trump-Xi Summit Spurs U.S. Auto and Farm Groups to Press for Trade Stance
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Core Event: Industry Letters Ahead of the President’s Meeting with Xi
In the week before President Donald Trump’s summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, major U.S. automotive and agricultural organizations sent letters to the White House urging a hard-line approach toward China. The automotive coalition, representing roughly 17,000 franchised dealers and six leading trade associations—including the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, the American Automotive Policy Council, and the National Automobile Dealers Association—asked Trump to “keep the door firmly shut” on Chinese automakers seeking to sell, import, or manufacture vehicles in the United States.
Simultaneously, the American Soybean Association (ASA) and the National Sorghum Producers (NSP) urged the administration to secure Chinese purchase commitments, eliminate retaliatory duties, and protect U.S. grain shipments from competing Brazilian supplies. Both letters were delivered in mid-September, days before the expected Washington meeting.
Background & Context
The automotive letter cites the administration’s 100 percent tariff on Chinese vehicle imports and a Commerce Department rule barring Chinese-connected vehicle hardware and software, which it says have prevented a surge of low-cost Chinese cars that could erode U.S. manufacturing jobs.
On the farm side, China previously pledged to buy at least 25 million metric tons (MMT) of U.S. soybeans annually for 2026-2028, following a 12 MMT commitment for late 2025. NSP notes a Chinese pledge in May to purchase $17 billion annually in U.S. agricultural products, including sorghum, over the next three years.
Key Figures & Groups
- Donald Trump – President of the United States
- John Moolenaar – Chairman, House Select Committee on China
- Scott Metzger – President, American Soybean Association
- Amy France – Chair, National Sorghum Producers
- Elissa Slotkin – Democratic U.S. Senator from Michigan
Data & Statistics
- Chinese automakers held about 25 percent of global vehicle market share in 2025, according to an August 2026 study from the Center for Automotive Research.
- China produced roughly 75 percent of the world’s electric vehicles, per the International Energy Agency.
- U.S. sorghum exports to China average 5–7 million metric tons annually, valued at approximately $1.6 billion.
- The ASA’s target is to see China eliminate its 10 percent retaliatory duty on U.S. soybeans.
Official Statements & Responses
President Trump, speaking on Fox News’ *The Ingraham Angle*, said, “If China wanted to come in and open a plant to build their cars here, I’d be OK with it.”
Verbatim Quotes
- “If China wanted to come in and open a plant to build their cars here, I'd be OK with it,” — Donald Trump
- “Soybean farmers need consistency and predictability in one of our most important export markets, and we hope the upcoming meeting with President Xi delivers further progress toward that goal,” — ASA President
- “China is a market American sorghum farmers and industry partners have worked for more than 15 years to build,” — Amy France
What’s Next
The summit with President Xi is set for the week following the September 18 letters. Industry groups will monitor any statements on Chinese vehicle manufacturing, tariff adjustments, and the enforcement of the proposed U.S.–China Board of Trade that could lock in soybean and sorghum purchase commitments for the next three years.