US farmers losing billions through China’s red tape

US farmers lose billions of dollars in sales each year because of China’s import restrictions on wheat, poultry, pork, cotton and other food and agricultural products, according to a recently released study from the US International Trade Commission.

The study, which was conducted at the request of the Senate Finance Committee, estimates Chinese tariffs and quotas reduced US agricultural exports by as much as $2.1 billion in 2009 with wheat and poultry being the most affected.

“China is our number one market for US agricultural product exports, but China’s unjustified trade barriers are blocking some of our goods such as wheat and beef,” Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus said in response to the new International Trade Commission study.

“US producers should have full access to the Chinese market. It’s necessary for supporting US jobs, and it’s China’s obligation to allow legitimate access as a member of the World Trade Organization.” Said Sen. Chuck Grassley in response to the report.

The ITC report states that China is the world’s second-largest agricultural importer behind the United States but still uses tariff and nontariff measures to restrict imports.