China, US urged to improve agricultural ‘bright spot’ to ‘inject new impetus’ in Beijing, Washington relations

Agriculture was the major component that made up China’s purchase commitments under the phase-one trade deal, which expired at the end of last year

China fell over 40 per cent short of the overall target under the two-year deal, but agriculture purchases are reported to have reached 83 per cent

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Chinese ambassador to the United States, Qin Gang. Photo: Kyodo

Published: 9:30pm, 23 Mar 2022

China and the United States should improve cooperation in the agricultural sector, labelled as “a bright spot” in bilateral relations, to “inject new impetus” to ease overall rivalry and fight climate change, officials from both sides said.

Agriculture was the major component of China’s purchase commitments under the phase-one trade deal, which expired at the end of last year.

China was blamed for falling short of meeting the purchase targets, although Beijing said that it had made the utmost effort to deliver on the deal in the face of the coronavirus pandemic and deteriorating relations.

Qin Gang, China’s ambassador to the US, said that China had “faithfully” fulfilled the agriculture commitment under the two-year deal, which was signed in January 2020.

Agricultural production best explained the win-win nature of our economic and trade relations

Qin Gang

“Our agricultural trade registered a quick comeback from the pandemic and trade frictions, and rose to US$47 billion in 2021, with China’s imports reaching US$39 billion, up by 46 per cent year on year,” said Qin.

China imports one fifth of US agricultural products, more than any other country or region, he said, urging both sides to forge closer agricultural cooperation to “inject new impetus” into overall bilateral relations and help with food security, as well as the battle against climate change.

“On average, each American farmer exported more than US$11,000 of agricultural products to China. Agricultural production best explained the win-win nature of our economic and trade relations. It also speaks to our highly complementary economic structures and deeply intertwined interests,” Qin added.