The USDA Foreign Agricultural Service has been “intimately involved” with U.S. trade negotiators and will be included in an upcoming trip to China.
Politico says the U.S. delegation will be led by Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross.
Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue says the Foreign Ag Service, “was at Secretary Ross’ left elbow last week during the discussions specifically on commodities we believe we could expand our efforts to China with.” Perdue says China and the U.S. have discussed the possibility of China approving imports of more U.S. food grown using biotechnology. Perdue adds, “We’re also looking at non-tariff measures regarding some of the policies and protocols that restrict U.S. products from going into China. That will be part of the technical discussions as well.” Perdue wants a wider variety of ag exports sent to China, such as soybeans, rice, corn, and poultry, among others.
China hinted on Wednesday when it’s Ministry of Commerce posted a statement saying, “China welcomes high-quality, competitive American products to enter the Chinese market.”
From the National Association of Farm Broadcasting News Service.