Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson applauds President Donald J. Trump for signing Phase One of the Economic and Trade Agreement with China today. This historic agreement is a significant step in achieving fair and balanced trade and will further open China’s food and agriculture market to American products.
“I applaud President Trump’s persistence in negotiating new trade deals that will benefit American industries, especially agriculture. Agriculture is Mississippi’s number one industry, and it has been greatly affected by trade disputes with China. Our farmers have made sacrifices so our President could negotiate, with strength, a better trade agreement that protects American interests and security,” said Commissioner Gipson. “The signing of the Phase One Trade Agreement with China is a welcomed beginning to resolve these trade disputes, and serves as a symbol of the patriotism of our farmers. I’m grateful for the work President Trump is doing on behalf of agriculture and trade.”
As part of the agreement, China has agreed to make substantial purchases of American manufacturing goods, agricultural products, energy products, and services, marking a monumental win for American farmers and businesses. China will purchase and import on average at least $40 billion of U.S. food, agricultural, and seafood products annually for a total of at least $80 billion over the next two years. These products will cover the full range of U.S. food, agricultural, and seafood products.
Increased sales of U.S. agriculture products to China will benefit Mississippi farmers. Over the past two years, Mississippi has seen a decline in exports to China. Mississippi exported nearly $58 million of agricultural commodities to China in 2019, down from $125 million in 2018 with top exports being cotton and forest products.
Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson Press Release
1/15/2020
Sarah Ulmer
