China suspends U.S. ag imports

Jun 01, 2020

China took action after President Trump criticized its situation with Hong Kong

By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com

China has told some of its state-owned ag importers to stop purchasing farm products from the United States.

Chinese importers like Cofco and Sinograin, which are owned by the Chinese government, were interested in purchasing U.S. pork, soybeans cotton and corn. But any potential deal fell through after President Trump criticized China for its situation with Hong Kong, Bloomberg reported.

“China has asked main state firms to suspend large-scale purchases of major U.S. farm products like soybeans and pork, in response to U.S. reaction to Hong Kong,” a source familiar with the situation told Reuters.

Private importers are still free to bring in U.S. products.

Last week, China’s government approved a plan to draw up national security laws it could apply to Hong Kong to put an end to any activities the Chinese government feel endanger national security. These laws could pass by September.

In response to China’s actions, President Trump announced his government would investigate a way to punish the country.

“China has replaced its promised formula of ‘one country, two systems’ with ‘one country, one system,’” he said on May 29. “Therefore, I am directing my administration to begin the process of eliminating policy exemptions that give Hong Kong different and special treatment.”

Chinese officials responded to President Trump.

Any actions taken by the U.S. will be met with similar responses from China.

“The announced (U.S.) measures severely interfere with China’s internal affairs, damage U.S.-China relations, and will harm both sides. China is firmly opposed to this,” said Zhao Lijian, a spokesperson with China’s foreign ministry, Reuters reported. “Any words or actions by the U.S. that harm China’s interests will meet with China’s firm counterattack.”

Farms.com has reached out to market analysts on how this situation is affecting commodity markets.

Video: Evolution of Beef Cattle Farming

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