Governor Reynolds recaps the first all-agriculture trade mission to China.
At a press conference Wednesday, Governor Reynolds said she was honored to lead such a historical and powerful trade mission.
?It was the first time that we had an all-agriculture delegation go to China, and I think it was very powerful to see a united agriculture industry,? Reynolds said. ?It really made a strong voice for opportunities that not only exist for our farmers, but also for the market in China.?
The trade mission featured Iowa?s eight commodity groups, as well as the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation. The goal of trade mission was to build relationships and open new opportunities for Iowa?s agricultural products.
China reopened its market for U.S. beef last month, after having taken a 13-year hiatus. The market opportunity came as a result of the U.S.-China 100-Day Action Plan, crafted by President Xi and President Trump. Recently, however, the United States has struggled in exporting beef to other countries, such as Japan. As of August 1, Japan increased its tariff on frozen beef imports from 38.5 percent to 50 percent. At the press conference Wednesday, Reynolds noted the significance of Japan?s market in regard to the U.S. beef industry, as well as the overall importance of trade relationships.
?They (Japan) have been seeing our numbers increasing over there. I have a lot of confidence in Secretary (of State) Tillerson and his ability to do free and fair trade. Trade is so important to Iowa. One in five jobs are attributed to our ability to export our good and commodities around the world. That?s why I thought this was such a timely trade mission. With agricultural commodity prices where they are, under input costs, we are looking for every opportunity that we can to grow,? Reynolds said.
