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Chief Ag Negotiator Vetter on Chinese duties

The US Trade Representative’s Chief Negotiator Darci Vetter says she isn’t surprised by China’s announcement it is imposing a 10 percent anti-subsidy duty on US distillers grains exported to the country.

She says China provides domestic support that essentially creates a floor price for corn in China that is well above the world price for corn.

Vetter says that has resulted in a large stockpile of corn in China.  “Whether it is policies related to biotechnology or anti-dumping policies on our DDGs, it’s in their interest right now to not be importing corn at a time when they have a domestic surplus that is of low quality and at a very high price,” she says.

The action follows last week’s announcement that the country is pursuing anti-dumping claims.

The US Grains Council and the Renewable Fuels Association say they’re disappointed in the claim and say US DDGs have not caused any injury to China.

AUDIO: Ambassador Darci Vetter