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Illinois farmer says US ethanol industry needs China trade deal

An Illinois farmer says a trade agreement between China and the US is needed to boost US corn and ethanol markets.

Grundy County Illinois farmer Paul Jeschke tells Brownfield China was ramping up to be a huge importer of ethanol before the trade disputes.

“Ethanol is the source of one third of our corn grind in the country and somehow or another we need to reach a compromise.”

Jeschke points out that some regions of China have used ethanol to improve air quality.

“They have so many cities with extreme pollution issues so, it would be a win for their health, their environment, the American farmer and obviously for the American ethanol industry.”

Jeschke says several ethanol plants have been forced to shut down and a resolution to the trade war could prevent that number from rising.