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Trade expert: enforcement, non-tariff issues key to future U.S.-China ag success

An ag trade consultant says China must also address non-tariff trade barriers if U.S. agriculture is going to see widespread benefits from any trade deal between the two countries.

“Otherwise, we can’t ship beef to China again.”

Sharon Bomer Lauritsen says China became an important market for U.S. beef following the phase one trade deal. Earlier this year, U.S. beef shipments to China halted due to tariffs and the failure of a new export registration system.

She says she’s optimistic there will be a second phase of discussions where the U.S. and China engage at a more technical level.

“Like getting beef facilities registered. It’s a big problem, you know, and hopefully working on some of the ag biotech issues that in many of our views, China did not implement according to what was in the agreement. So I’m looking for something that’s in two stages.”

Other sectors of U.S. agriculture would also like to see non-tariff trade barriers addressed, including soybeans, dairy, potatoes and others.

China has agreed to purchase more U.S. soybeans and other ag products as part of the recent agreement, though some of the framework details remain unclear.

Bomer Lauritsen says enforcement of any trade deal is also important, and she’s watching what happens next in the Section 301 investigation of the phase one trade deal with China.

“I view that as an important element to to give them flexibility in case the trade relationship does not improve.”

She says the investigation allows the U.S. Trade Representative’s office to enforce the phase one deal, but learn from other stakeholders what other issues need to get attention with China.