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Perdue calls China’s sorghum claims ‘ludicrous’

Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue says it’s “ludicrous” for China to claim that U.S. grain sorghum is being dumped on the Chinese market.

Perdue says China’s decision to place duties of almost 179 percent on U.S. sorghum imports “is clearly a political decision”. He says China has engaged in unfair trade practices over many decades and President Trump is now holding them accountable.

Perdue says the Trump Administration is “committed to protecting American agricultural producers in the face of retaliatory measures by the Chinese”.

Here is Perdue’s full statement:

“The international grain market is about the freest market there is, and it is ludicrous to even mention ‘dumping,’ because China can buy product from anywhere they choose. This is clearly a political decision by the Chinese and we reject their premise. Our sorghum producers are the most competitive in the world and we do not believe there is any basis in fact for these actions. As we explore options, we are in communication with the American sorghum industry and stand united with them. The fact remains that China has engaged in unfair trade practices over decades and President Trump is correct in holding them accountable. We remain committed to protecting American agricultural producers in the face of retaliatory measures by the Chinese.”