\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Over the past 25 years, we kept predicting China would grow into an important market for U.S. agriculture \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcin a few more years.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 I hadn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t realized, and I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m guessing many growers haven\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t realized that in 2010 China became our number one export market,\u00e2\u20ac\ufffd reported Rick Tolman, chief executive officer for the National Corn Growers Association.<\/p>\n
Tolman, who traveled to China with U.S. Grains Council President and CEO Thomas C. Dorr, found dramatic changes compared to 11 years ago when he served as Council’s executive director for international operations.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Now they have become a great export market for us, especially for soybeans, cotton, distiller\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s dried grains, and wood,\u00e2\u20ac\ufffd he noted. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153They are taking some corn, too. There needs to be more awareness of their importance among U.S. growers.\u00e2\u20ac\ufffd<\/p>\n
Chinese sources delivered a wide range of messages about China\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s long-term outlook as a customer for U.S. corn, Tolman reported: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We heard everything from \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcabsolutely not, never\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 to \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcyes, and there will be significant growth over the next few years.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122\u00e2\u20ac\ufffd<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153In my opinion, the environment is right for U.S. sales to grow further. With economic growth and population growth, China can become a more and more significant market for us,\u00e2\u20ac\ufffd he concluded.<\/p>\n
Changing attitudes on both sides of the Pacific could further benefit the U.S.-China trade relationship, according to Tolman.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Among the general public, we tend to think about China in terms of a U.S. trade deficit, but in agriculture, the United States has a comparative advantage and our trade balance with China is positive. We have a growing agricultural trade surplus.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I was thinking that our relationship is most often described in terms of our differences \u00e2\u20ac\u201c whether it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s over currency or some other issue \u00e2\u20ac\u201c and that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s what makes the headlines. But our differences should pale in comparison with our huge trading relationship,\u00e2\u20ac\ufffd he said. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We need to focus less on our disputes and more on where we have interests in common and good reasons to work together.\u00e2\u20ac\ufffd<\/p>\n
Tolman also warned of the dangers of linking trade with other issues. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It is very clear from listening to them that our political leaders on both sides tie trade into politics, and we need to change that culture. Trade ought to be independent of politics \u00e2\u20ac\u201c we should have learned that from the grain embargoes in the 1970s or from the recent delays in confirming free trade agreements,\u00e2\u20ac\ufffd he said.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153We in agriculture have a lot to gain, and we should work on getting over that.\u00e2\u20ac\ufffd<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Over the past 25 years, we kept predicting China would grow into an important market for U.S. agriculture \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcin a few more years.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 I hadn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t realized, and I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m guessing many growers haven\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t realized that in 2010 China became our number one export market,\u00e2\u20ac\ufffd reported Rick Tolman, chief executive officer for the National Corn Growers Association. … <\/p>\n