US Pushing For Fair And Predictable Agriculture Trade With China
Brownfield
The chief ag negotiator with United States Trade Representative says the administration is working to ensure a fair and balanced relationship with China.
Julie Callahan told reporters during the recent National Pork Industry Forum discussions between the two countries are ongoing and the message from the U.S. is clear. “Agriculture should not be weaponized in terms of agriculture trade.”
Callahan says the goal is to build a more predictable and transparent partnership so agriculture is not leveraged during political disputes. “China benefits from U.S. agricultural goods. Our farmers and ranchers benefit from their markets. It should not be an off and on switch that if China’s upset, they shut off our agriculture.”
She tells Brownfield the country will always be a vital customer, but, “We don’t want it to be the single market that without that market, farmers are going to be bankrupt. That’s why we want to open new markets and at the same time engage China constructively.”
She says both presidents still plan to meet later this spring, and agriculture is expected to be part of the conversation.