Statement by Mark McHargue, President, Regarding Recent Trade Agreement with China

LINCOLN, NEB. - "Nebraska Farm Bureau's trade policy agenda for 2025 was very simple; we must expand markets and eliminate trade barriers. While easy to say, these two substantial asks remain vital to the economic futures of Nebraska's farm and ranch families. This week's announced trade deals with Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, and today's trade announcement on China certainly fall within those goals and are welcomed by Nebraska's farmers and ranchers. The first four deals announced earlier this week represent nearly 226 million potential new customers for Nebraska agricultural products, and we look forward to these deals being fully implemented.

At the same time, today's announced commitment by China to purchase sorghum, 12 million metric tons of soybeans in 2025, and a minimum of 25 million metric tons of soybeans per year for the next three years, is certainly a ‘big deal.’ While we await more details, we are hopeful the agreement will lead to more traditional and long-lasting marketing relationship with China moving forward. We are well aware of the complex and sometimes fraught economic and geopolitical relationship between the U.S. and China; however, China remains a significant export partner for Nebraska agriculture. Nebraska Farm Bureau looks forward to working with the Trump administration to ensure China lives up to their commitments."

The Nebraska Farm Bureau is a grassroots, state-wide organization dedicated to supporting farm and ranch families and working for the benefit of all Nebraskans through a wide variety of educational, service, and advocacy efforts. More than 56,000 families across Nebraska are Farm Bureau members, working together to achieve rural and urban prosperity as agriculture is a key fuel to Nebraska’s economy. For more information about Nebraska Farm Bureau and agriculture, visit www.nefb.org.