Many Questions Remains In U.S./China Trade Talks

There is still a lot up in the air when it comes to trade talks between the U.S. and China.  Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue said most U.S. officials thought back in May that progress was being made towards a deal.  Then, he noted, the Chinese unexpectedly retreated from the negotiations.

“And we're back at it again. And I believe our negotiators will be heading over there in a very soon fashion and trying to re-start those discussions,” Perdue said.  “I can tell you that if we begin where we ended it will be very good for agriculture.”

In the interim, China has made commitments to buy large amounts of US agriculture products.  Perdue said while some purchases have been made, not enough is going over to China, and the USDA and the White House will hold them accountable.  For example, China promised to buy 20 million tons of US soybeans.  So far they've bought 13.6 million tons.

‘So they still have a ways to go and that's what the President is reminding them of as well.”

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