Fresh from a reception with Chinese officials, Gov. Kim Reynolds and other members of an Iowa agricultural delegation visiting China told reporters on a conference call July 26 that the trip has been a success.
“It’s been a phenomenal trip,” Reynolds said, adding that “there’s a lot of opportunities moving forward.”
The unique trade mission served as a kickoff to the Reynolds governorship after she succeeded longtime governor Terry Branstad, who was recently confirmed to be the Trump administration’s ambassador in Beijing.
The trip included Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey and representatives of a number of agricultural organizations and commodity groups.
Those agricultural leaders told reporters that no specific agreements were made and no documents signed, but a number of items were discussed with the Chinese, including an anti-dumping case regarding dried distillers grains and issues related to exports of U.S. ethanol to China.
They said trade and negotiation with China involves building relationships. The presence of former Gov. Branstad and the relationship of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Iowa are helpful as well.
Because of those connections, this trip offered a unique chance to work on issues of importance to Iowa agriculture, they said.
“We have had some very high-level conversations,” Northey said.
And because China is a large country with a huge population and a growing middle class it represents a big opportunity, said Iowa Farm Bureau Federation President Craig Hill.
“We, in Iowa, are a powerhouse of production,” Hill said.
He said the approximately 300 million people in the United States average 187 lbs. of protein (meat) consumption per capita per year. China has a population of about 1.4 billion and its per capital consumption is only about 130 lbs. per person.
Other members of the group were working on issues related to their specific commodities, such as a better approval system for crop biotech traits or more shipments of beef or poultry.
“To get better access would be huge,” said Kurt Hora, president-elect of the Iowa Corn Growers Association.