China's pre-summit US soybean purchases signal tactical trade de-escalation

Beijing has purchased US soybeans ahead of the Xi-Trump summit, a move that signals a tactical de-escalation in the ongoing trade conflict. The purchase is symbolic given China's historical shift from soybean exporter to importer, and it may be a goodwill gesture to improve negotiating leverage. The durability of this détente remains uncertain, as it could be reversed if talks fail.