U.S. to press China on trade, obligations to buy ag products in new policy

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U.S. to press China on trade, obligations to buy ag products in new policy

U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai says the administration is launching new trade talks with China, but is still holding them accountable to their Phase One obligations.

“China made commitments that benefit certain American industries including agriculture that we must enforce,” she says.

With the trade deal set to expire at the end of the year, Tai says China has requirements to purchase ag products through 2025. “But it’s not as specific as these past two years,” she says. “As I’m looking at this agreement not having been a part of the negotiating team, I think what that says to me is that further conversations have to happen between the two sides.”

Speaking at the Center for Strategic and International Studies Monday, Tai said China is shrinking market access for ag products. “While we have seen more exports to China in recent years, market share is shrinking, and agriculture remains an unpredictable sector for farmers and ranchers who’ve come to rely heavily on this market.”

Tai says she will soon have “frank” conversations with her counterpart.

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