Thune: I’m Hopeful China Will Come To The Table

Senate Majority Leader John Thune believes China will come to deal with President Trump on tariffs, though farm groups still worry about trade damage from steep levies in place for now.  Thune said he sees an upside to President Trump’s tariffs on China, now boosted to more than 100%.

“I’m hoping that in the end, the Chinese, like a lot of other countries, come to the table," Thune noted.  "There is clearly, in my view, room for negotiation that would achieve the objectives the president has laid out and could be in the benefit of both the US and China.”

Trump paused individualized tariffs against a host of countries, with the notable exception of China, hoping talks with the others would boost market access for ag and industry.

“The president has made it very clear that he wants changes made, starting with fentanyl and the precursors that the Chinese make and then distributes and gets into this country," Thune continued.  "But I think that there are other, reciprocal type trading policies that could be implement, if the Chinese will come to the table and work with this administration.”

The Senate majority leader says China needs the U.S. market more than the U.S. needs China, while the selective tariff pause has made it harder for Beijing to steal other markets away from the U.S.  However, a host of ag groups worry short-term disruptions and long-term damage to U.S reputation and reliability with China.

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