The second session, in this four-session dialogue series held last evening on the platform of the U.S. Heartland China Association (USHCA), brought together 12 representatives from China and the U.S. to discuss the expansion of agricultural trade, and new developments in agriculture. The U.S.-China Roundtable is a non-profit organization of private companies and agricultural trade groups, with the support of state governments of all Midwest states between the U.S. northern and southern borders, in conjunction with institutes and major companies in China. The themes which stood out during the 2.5-hour webinar were 1) U.S. producers are adamant that the huge market of the current Chinese middle class of 400 million consumers is crucial for the U.S.; 2) Chinese agriculture leaders are developing “a new development concept,” “a rural vitalization strategy,” involving mass data analysis of crop requirements, drone technology, and plant gene editing — all as part of the 14th Five Year Plan; and 3) from the U.S., representatives of Monsanto (owned by BayerCropScience, Germany) and from the National Pork Board pushed the line of the need to increase output per acre so as to reduce the total land area worldwide under cultivation — to reduce “greenhouse gases,” and, yes, they are trying to produce what they call a “carbon-neutral pig.”
Most insightful among the Americans was Polly Ruhland, the CEO of the United Soybean Board. Speaking of the U.S. and China, she said, “we need each other,” explaining that China imports 80-90% of its soybean requirements. She said that all soybean genetics originated in China; therefore, U.S. soybean growers"have China to thank” for their success! She made a plea for mutual cultural understanding and respect between the two nations, as the basis for any successful trade.
