Phase One Deal With China Signed
At a White House ceremony Wednesday, the U.S. and China signed the phase one trade deal that should boost exports of American ag goods. President Donald Trump heralded the agreement that includes new access for U.S. ag products.
Details released by the Trade Representative’s office says China will purchase and import, on average, at least 40 billion dollars of products will cover the full range of U.S. food, agricultural, and seafood products. China will also expand the scope of beef products allowed to be imported, eliminate age restrictions on cattle slaughtered for export to China, and recognize the U.S. beef and beef products’ traceability system. Trump says he’s confident that American farmers could sell even more to China.
Farm leaders reacted positively to the signing. Missouri Director of Agriculture Chris Chinn said in a statement that, “Trade in agriculture has always been a critical component in driving demand for our products domestically and internationally.” She went on to commend USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue and Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, among others, for representing American agriculture at the negotiation table. Missouri Farm Bureau President Blake Hurst said that the deal is, “a welcome step forward in what has become a long road to securing a trade deal with China,” adding that there are more steps to come in securing a comprehensive deal.