Despite reports showing that China is falling well short of its promises to import a total of $80 billion worth of U.S. ag products this year and next, U.S. Trade Ambassador Rob­ert Lighthizer said last week there is “every indication” that China will meet its obligation. 

He said sales and commitments from China are continuing to pick up, pointing to a $500 million soybean sale last week, and said sales of products such as soybeans would increase dramatically later in the year.

Bolstering China’s case, Asia’s biggest economy purchased...