Oregon Trade With China

Oregon Trade With China

Rick Worthington
Rick Worthington
The director of the Oregon Department of Agriculture are on a trade mission to China this week with several Oregon agricultural producers.

That's despite efforts by the Trump Administration to beef up trade tariffs targeted at China. President Donald Trump has said he considers China a bad actor when it comes to trade.

"So I think [this trade mission] is very much in line with where agriculture is across the country whether that's where we are from a policy aspect from the federal government or not."

Representatives from several Oregon agricultural companies and the Oregon Potato Commission, the Port of Portland and the Oregon Beef Council will also participate in the trade mission to promote their products. The companies will also look at Chinese consumer trends and how to connect with those consumers.

Taylor says this is a great opportunity for Oregon beef producers in particular because it's the first time in more than a decade that they can ship beef to China.

"Trade is so important to a strong agricultural economy. A strong ag [agriculture] economy equals a strong Oregon economy, and China is a really exciting and dynamic market," Taylor said.

The Oregon trade mission to China will end on Thursday - May 17th.

China is Oregon's fourth largest trading partner. Last year, more than $290 million dollars in Oregon food and agricultural products were shipped to China.

Oregon Department of Agriculture says this is a great opportunity for Oregon beef producers in particular because it's the first time in more than a decade that they can ship beef to China.

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