Ag Secretary: U.S.-China Phase One trade negotiations progress

The U.S.-China Phase One Economic Trade Agreement that commenced Feb. 14 continues to be expanded with new protocols for California nectarine exports, lifting a ban on beef and beef products from animals over 30 months of age, and updating the list for exports of dairy, infant formula, seafood, fish oil and fish meal.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue made the announcement on Tuesday (March 10) as much of the world continues to react to the Coronavirus threat that has gripped China, Iran and Italy and is unfolding in the U.S. creating a widespread fallout in the financial markets in recent days.

“These implementation measures are promising steps showing that China is taking steps to fulfill their purchase commitments,” Perdue said. “Under President Trump’s leadership, this agreement will produce positive gains for the entire economy, especially our agriculture sector. We look forward to China continuing to achieve their commitments in future months.”

Perdue said China’s new tariff exclusion process went into effect on March 2 and importers can now apply for exclusions from retaliatory tariffs.

While the U.S. agriculture industry is pleased to see more access, he said, in the short-term exports overall are hindered as ports of entry in China remain backlogged over the COVID-19 epidemic that crippled much of China’s logistics industry through February.

The backlog is reportedly starting to clear in some areas, but there are still logistics obstacles getting products into and distributed around the country.