U.S. Ag Secretary Addresses Soybean Trade and Farm Economy Amid China Talks
With ongoing trade discussions with China affecting the sale of U.S. soybeans, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins recently shared insights into the current state of the agriculture economy during an appearance on Fox News.
Rollins discussed highlights from a recent cabinet meeting and emphasized the importance of both short-term relief and long-term solutions for American farmers.
“We talked today in the cabinet meeting, I talked to the president before the cameras came in asked me to give the whole cabinet a farm economy update and one of the things I talked to is we have to work in the long term to get off this hamster wheel these farmers are on. They just want to sell their product. They don’t want checks from the government.”
Rollins pointed to new trade initiatives and domestic food supply strategies as part of a broader push toward sustainability and security in agriculture:
“But until we get there, all these new trade deals opening up the markets by the president on shoring our food supply for health reasons, but national security reasons, we will get there. But until then, we will continue.”
She also revealed that a new program is in development to support farmers impacted by current trade imbalances—particularly row crop producers and soybean farmers:
“We’re going to be announcing a program as soon as the shutdown ends on what we’re going to do in the short term for these row croppers, including our soybean farmers.”
Soybean Trade at Center of U.S.-China Talks
The lack of soybean purchases by China has been a growing concern for U.S. producers. Recently, President Trump told reporters he would address the lack of soybean purchases by China when he meets with China’s President Xi Jinping during a meeting of regional leaders in South Korea later this month.
With both short-term aid and diplomatic action underway, soybean farmers are hopeful for relief and more stable market access in the near future.
Audio Reporting by Dale Sandlin for Southeast AgNet.