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Farmers for Free Trade wants commitment from China

Farmers for Free Trade’s Co-Executive director says they need to see commitment from China to be satisfied with the phase one trade agreement reached Friday.

Brian Kuehl says there are doubts about President Trump’s claim that China will purchase $50 billion in ag products in a single year, noting that China has yet to confirm the pledge or provide details on how they will meet it.

Since China has been importing ag products from a diverse group of other countries during the trade war, Kuehl says it will be difficult for China to quickly purchase such a large amount solely from the US. He says supply and demand as well as inspections and regulations will also be barriers for completing the purchases.

Kuehl says they appreciate that the agreement reduces tariffs and focuses on commitments from China, but says he hopes the announcement is not another “empty political promise to farmers”.