U.S. Agriculture Focusing on Future of Chinese Relations

WASHINGTON, DC – As a new administration prepares to hit the ground running in around 40 days, there are many questions regarding future U.S. relations with China. For agriculture, there is a growing concern especially as Chinese purchases begin to approach levels promised in a Phase One Trade Agreement signed with Trump Administration. According to the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), China agreed to buy at least $40 billion of U.S. agricultural goods in each of the next two years, though a global coronavirus outbreak provided a delay in purchases. Dr. David Shambaugh, Professor of Asian Studies and Director of the China Policy Program at George Washington University suggest that Beijing should first reflect deeply on why relations have deteriorated so severely and what specific actions have contributed to the downslide. “There remains a broad and deep bipartisan consensus across the United States, including in the divided Congress, over China policy” he explains. Shambaugh outlines four possible paths forward. First, a change in tone and coherence whereby the president and his administration will have coherence and continuity of messaging. Second, Washington will work in tandem with allies to push back against China’s behavior. Third, the trade relations will no longer dominate Washington’s list of concerns with China. Fourth, there will be some discrete policy areas (like climate change) where the two countries will look for active cooperation.
(SOURCE: All Ag News)