U.S.-China Tensions: China's Possible Spurning Of US Farm Exports

US Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack suggested that China's recent preference for Brazilian corn and soybeans over US exports might be tied to retaliatory measures against restrictions on American farmland ownership, as reported by Michael Hirtzer and Kim Chipman for Bloomberg News.

Vilsack highlighted Arkansas' enforcement of legislation requiring Syngenta AG, a seed company controlled by China's Sinochem Holdings Corp., to divest 160 acres of farmland. I Photo: CGTN

Vilsack highlighted Arkansas' enforcement of legislation requiring Syngenta AG, a seed company controlled by China's Sinochem Holdings Corp., to divest 160 acres of farmland.

He indicated that China's agriculture minister raised concerns about this during a recent discussion.

Vilsack interpreted this as a signal of displeasure and suggested that it could be a factor in China's reduced agricultural imports from the US. He emphasized the need for the US to diversify its agricultural trade partners while also expressing a desire to continue doing business with China.