Lighthizer: Ag would Be the Big Winner With China, Japan trade deals

The top U.S. trade negotiator says there won't be any agricultural trade agreement with China until the two nations reach agreement on structural issues like technology theft and forced tech transfer.  Ambassador Robert Lighthizer told the Senate Finance Committee this week that those issues are being worked on detail by detail, and headway is being made.  But when it comes to what U.S. sector would have to gain from a trade deal with China, Lighthizer said agriculture would be the big winner.

"We sell them in a normal year $18-$19 billion in product, less last year for a variety of reasons, but they import a lot of goods and that's important to the United States."

Meanwhile Lighthizer said he knows the tough financial situation many farmers are suffering right now and if the US can actually get a trade agreement with China and also with Japan.

"I think there's a bright light on the horizon for agriculture and that certainly is our objective."

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