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Roberts presses USTR on China’s slow biotech approval pace

Senate Ag Chair Pat Roberts pressed the US Trade Representative on the sluggish progress to increase access for US biotechnology in China.

During a Senate Finance Committee hearing on Wednesday, Roberts questioned the continued slow pace of China’s approvals.  “Last week it was announced 2 events received approval to China, 6 more events remain sitting in the cue,” he says.  “We’re nearing the end of the 100 day action plan window – where are we on that?”

USTR Robert Lighthizer says while it has been slow, there has been at least some progress.  “We haven’t seen all 8 of our applications approved yet,” he says.  “That’s something that we have to keep leaning on.  We expect that to happen.  The pressure is still on and the trade deficit hasn’t gone down any and the President feels just as strongly as he did before the 100 day start.”

He says Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue, and President Trump are committed to ensuring China follows through on its pledge to work toward a stable science-based approval for US ag biotechnology.