Cargill Still Concerned About Likelihood of Trade War

Cargill remains concerned that the U.S. and China trade discussions will escalate into a trade war. In Comments sent to U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, Cargill officials said the tariffs proposal by the U.S. targeting China will “not effectively advance the goal of addressing distortive trade practices."

Cargill sent a five-page letter to Lighthizer as the USTR is taking comment and hearing testimony this week on the proposed tariffs. For Cargill and other grain trade organizations, the growing trade disputes are disrupting agricultural supply chains. A Cargill official writes in the letter that U.S. farmers will be hurt the most by declining prices linked to China retaliatory efforts, including a 25% tariff on U.S. soybeans.

Cargill states: “the use of tariffs is unsuccessful in achieving lasting solutions.” The hearings this week come as officials from China and the U.S. are holding meetings in Washington, D.C. to discuss trade.

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