Rep. Dusty Johnson Weighs in on U.S.-China Trade Deal, Ongoing Ag Challenges

U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-SD) shares his outlook on the developing U.S.-China Trade agreement, and the ongoing impact of the federal government shutdown—now stretching past four weeks—on rural communities and producers.

MITCHELL, S.D. (RFD-TV) — The ag sector is remaining cautiously optimistic following this week’s trade talks between the U.S. and China. While the one-year deal raises hopes for stronger exports and eased trade barriers, full details have yet to be released.

U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-SD) joined us on Friday’s Market Day Report to share his outlook on the developing agreement.

In his interview with RFD-TV News, Rep. Johnson discussed what the deal could mean for U.S. farmers, including China’s pledge to buy 12 million metric tons of soybeans this season, and weighed in on whether the progress marks a lasting breakthrough or a short-term truce in trade relations.

The conversation turned to other ag topics, including concerns over potential U.S. beef imports from Argentina, the USDA’s new plan to strengthen the beef industry, and the ongoing impact of the federal government shutdown—now stretching past four weeks—on rural communities and producers.

Related Stories
The Farm Bureau urges trade enforcement, biofuel growth, fair input pricing, and pro-farmer policy reforms to restore long-term certainty.
A SCOTUS ruling on Trump’s tariffs could have long-term implications on the authority of future administrations to control U.S. trade policy, according to RFD-TV legal expert Roger McEowen.
The Sheinbaum–Rollins meeting signals progress, but the focus remains on fully containing screwworm before cross-border movement resumes.
RaboResearch says China’s pivot from mass production to innovation-driven growth could reshape global pesticide supply chains — and influence prices and product access for U.S. farmers in the coming years.
Farmers for Free Trade Executive Director Brian Kuehl shares more about the tour to gather farmers’ insights on the economic challenges they face in the ag economy.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

National FFA Secretary Luke Jennings joins us to share how he’s feeling heading into the big week and reflect on his year of service.
FFA education inspires Chelsey Keiser to become the first female horse jockey.
Ryan Dunsbergen, soybean product manager for Golden Harvest, shares an overview of their new soybean seed lineup and what growers can expect in 2026.
Bioethanol is becoming a global standard. For growers, that boom comes as drops in Mississippi River levels and in soybean demand occur in tandem, leaving barge space for corn and wheat.
The government shutdown has touched nearly every sector of the ag industry since it began, and now impacts are spilling over into dairy.
With China halting U.S. soybean purchases and talks tied to broader strategic issues, growers face renewed export uncertainty.