The first of its kind ag meeting between U.S. and Chinese officials will take place in Iowa next week. As agricultural trade issues between the U.S. and China continue – the meeting is designed to try and resolve those.
One of the biggest concerns is the continued restrictions and barriers on the sale of U.S. beef in China. U.S. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack says this upcoming meeting is another step in the right direction, “We continue to talk to the Chinese about reducing barriers. We’ll have an ag symposium in Iowa with Vice President Xi as well as Minster Han, who is the Chinese agricultural minster, to develop a stronger relationship in this area and hopefully that’ll lead to more market opportunities as well.”
Iowa Ag Secretary Bill Northey says the entire meeting will be focused on agriculture, “This is a big deal. He’s the vice president at this time and by the end of the year he will be president of China.”
Secretary Vilsack says China and the United States “have an opportunity and responsibility to work together” to address the growing food needs of a “rapidly growing world.” The Secretary has been in China twice on trade strengthening visits, most recently last November.
The U.S.-China Agricultural Symposium – which grew out of that last high level meeting – will be next Thursday, February 16th in Des Moines.
USDA to Host First U.S.-China Agricultural Symposium
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