U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said Tuesday that a previously released timeline for China to meet its commitment to buy American soybeans had been extended from the end of this year to the end of the "growing season."

The apparent shift came to light during Greer's testimony before the Senate Appropriations Committee in Washington, when Deb Fischer, R-Neb., asked him to "walk me through how you are monitoring China's purchases."

"What is the timeline for the 12 million-metric-ton purchases?" she asked. "Is that timeline not by the end of this calendar year?"

Greer replied, "It is for this growing season."

The Agriculture Department’s website says most soybeans in the United States are planted in May and June and harvested in September and October.

The trade representative’

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