Could There Be An End To The U.S./China Trade War?

The chances for an end to the U.S.-China tariff fight are looking better than they were a few weeks ago.  President Trump is holding off on additional tariffs against Chinese goods, including hiking existing tariffs.  Meanwhile, China will soon send a high-level official to the United States to plan for a late November, early December meeting between Trump and China’s president at the G-20 summit in Argentina.

“It’s certainly positive that the Vice Premiere is headed to the U.S. to maybe have more of those technical discussions," said American Farm Bureau’s Veronica Nigh.  "Positive news that the auto tariffs has been pushed to next year.”

Nigh said that would avoid further complications of the U.S. trade picture.  The Chinese, meantime, are expected to make proposals to the U.S., that could get trade flowing.  Nigh added American competitors will be watching closely.

“The sale of Brazilian corn and beans kind of on pause as well, while they’re waiting to see the outcome of this G-20 meeting will be.  So, a lot of people in the Ag space kind of holding their breath just waiting to see if the U.S. is going to be back in the Chinese market or not.”

President Trump is still threatening to trigger added tariffs if China doesn’t make a deal, though policy differences in his cabinet and the midterm election results could temper his approach.  U.S. agriculture has lobbied the White House for months to talk, not levy tariffs.  ‘Trade, not aid’s’ been the mantra as Trump and the Department of Agriculture sought to offset some of the losses U.S. producers are facing with special farm payments.

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