News

McKinney: China’s soybean purchases ‘a first step’

USDA undersecretary for trade Ted McKinney says China’s purchase of U.S. soybeans is a good first step towards restoring the trading relationship between the two countries.  But he also has some words of caution.

“We’ve seen this chapter before—and as every day goes by, we’ll see if China is serious about it and steady about it, and wants to get to a normal trading relationship,” McKinney says.

The real keys will be China’s willingness to address the thorny issues of intellectual property theft and forced technology transfer, he says.

On another topic, McKinney told Brownfield he does not know when the steel and aluminum tariffs on Canada and Mexico might be lifted.

“I believe it will happen. I know that the White House is focused on this as well,” he says. “So I’m hoping it’s not a matter of if, but when—because they’re doing damage.”

McKinney visited Brownfield at the Farmer2Farmer conference in Omaha, where he was part of a panel discussion on trade.  We also discussed USMCA and upcoming trade talks with Japan.

AUDIO: Ted McKinney