NASHVILLE, TENN. (RFD NEWS) — President Donald Trump is preparing for his upcoming trip to China, where agricultural trade is expected to be a major focus of negotiations. Ahead of the summit, several lawmakers are already in Beijing, including Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS), who says the delegation has been meeting directly with top Chinese officials.
“We met with the premier, the #2 person in the Chinese government, the head of the legislature, and the foreign minister, all with a message about wanting success in the summit that President Trump and President Xi are conducting,” Sen. Moran explains. “And in particular, of course, the focus for me and a number of my colleagues has been the need for China to reach agreements and to actually abide by those agreements, import from the United States, our agriculture commodities, and in every conversation we’ve had, it’s been about beef, soybeans, and grain sorghum, and really a longer list than that.”
Moran believes the talks could lead to positive developments for U.S. agriculture, particularly for commodity exports.
“No one would say there’s going to be a deal, but the way they used the words implied that there is a deal in the works in regard to agriculture commodities and in regard to beef from the meetings with President Trump and President Xi,” Moran adds. “And there were a couple of times in which there was a caveat that something they’re complaining about the United States and what we are doing. So, I mean, all these negotiations are a give and take, but I think there’s a real belief that agriculture will see some benefit.”
Meanwhile, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) says soybean exports must remain central to any agreement reached between the two countries.
“If it’s going to be a success for agriculture, it’s got to have importation of American soybeans into China — and by big numbers,” Grassley said.
President Trump is expected to arrive in Beijing on Thursday and return to the United States the following day.
New details are emerging ahead of the Trump/Xi summit in Beijing, where leaders are expected to discuss a potential six-month to 12-month extension of the current trade truce between the United States and China.
Shaun Haney, host of RealAg Radio, joined us on Monday’s Market Day Report to discuss what the ag industry is watching closely as negotiations continue.
In his interview with RFD News, Haney discussed the enforcement mechanisms farmers want included to ensure that commodity purchase commitments are followed through. He also addressed growing concerns surrounding energy markets and the Strait of Hormuz following reports of a Chinese oil tanker attack, and whether shared concerns over energy security could play a role in negotiations involving Iran.
Finally, Haney spoke about industry concerns that continued diplomatic tensions over Taiwan could complicate or derail broader trade discussions between the two countries.
