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Economist says trade tensions with China in 2025 could have lasting impacts on U.S. ag exports

A trade policy expert at Ohio State University says the trade disruptions with China this year could have lasting impacts on U.S. ag exports.

Ian Sheldon tells Brownfield, “This year’s trade war beginning with the implementation of the tariffs in early April through August, ag exports to China had fallen relative to last year by over 50 percent,” he says. “That’s about a $7.4 billion lost over this year so far.”

Sheldon says he’s not optimistic China will fulfill its soybean purchase commitments by the end of the year. 

“With the phase one trade agreement, China did make commitments to import quite a bit over a period of two years,” he says. “They didn’t hit the target for agriculture, but they did make it up to about 80 percent of their commitments.”

Sheldon says he’s waiting for more details on the recent trade framework, but it’s unlikely the U.S. will be able to retain its lost market share from China.

AUDIO: Ian Sheldon, Ohio State