Source: The Pig Site/Global Ag Media, 3 February 2022, photo credit: 123RF/namning
China has failed to meet its commitments under a two-year “Phase 1” trade deal that expired at the end of 2021, and discussions are continuing with Beijing on the matter, Deputy U.S. Trade Representative Sarah Bianchi said on Tuesday.
“You know, it is really clear that the Chinese haven’t met their commitment in Phase 1. That’s something we’re trying to address,” Bianchi told a virtual forum hosted by the Washington International Trade Association.
In the deal signed by former President Donald Trump in January 2020, China pledged to increase purchases of U.S. farm and manufactured goods, energy and services by $200 billion above 2017 levels during 2020 and 2021, reported Reuters.
Through November, China had met only about 60% of that goal, according to trade data compiled by Peterson Institute for International Economics senior fellow Chad Bown.
The deal prevented the escalation of a nearly three-year trade war between the world’s two largest economies, but left in place tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars of imports on both sides of the Pacific.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in late January told lawmakers that China’s purchases of US farm goods fell short of the Phase 1 goal by about $13 billion.
The US Census bureau is expected to release final 2021 trade data for goods and services on 8 February, which will provide specifics on the shortfall.
Chinese customs data showed the country’s 2021 trade surplus with the United States surged 25% to $396.6 billion after declining for two straight years, with exports to the United States up 27% and imports of American goods rising 33%.
A spokesperson for China’s Embassy in Washington said Beijing has worked to implement the Phase 1 agreement “despite the impact of COVID-19, global recession and supply chain disruptions.”
“We hope the US can create a sound atmosphere and conditions for expanded trade with China. The two trade teams are in normal communication,” the spokesperson said in an emailed statement.
Bianchi, whose portfolio includes China and Asian trade matters, did not identify steps the Biden administration is taking to hold China to its Phase 1 commitments, which also include some increased Chinese market access for US agriculture, biotechnology and financial services.
“It’s not our goal to escalate here. But certainly we’re looking at all the tools we have in our toolbox to make sure they’re held accountable,” Bianchi said, without providing details.
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The South African Pork Producers’ Organisation (SAPPO) coordinates industry interventions and collaboratively manages risks in the value chain to enable the sustainability and profitability of pork producers in South Africa.
