Agricultural trade between the U.S. and China is continuing to pick up, even as political tensions and verbal sparring between the two countries escalates. However, market analysts say the purchases remain well short of the pace needed for China to fulfill its commitments under the Phase One trade deal with the United States.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) said China purchased $185 million of U.S. soybeans last week, despite a reported order telling state-owned firms to halt purchases of...