Ahead of a visit by President Trump this week, Kansas US Senator Jerry Moran has returned from a trip of his own to China.
Moran and other federal lawmakers had several topics they wanted to broach with Chinese leaders, but soybeans were at the top of the list — especially in enforcing an agreement which tentatively had China purchasing 25 million tons of beans by 2028 until US tariffs changed the economic picture last year.
Moran told media across Kansas the two countries can work together on ag matters, but he also says the economic landscape for US ag producers is in a tough spot.
China has been a solid trading partner for Kansas until tariffs returned to the trade conversation shortly after Trump became president.
Moran says tariffs in more general terms were also part of conversations he had with Chinese leaders, as well as trade in other areas — including a possible purchase by China of up to 500 airliners from Boeing. The US war with Iran, notably access to the Strait of Hormuz and the resulting impact on gas prices, were also a topic of discussion, according to Moran.
President Trump meets with Chinese leader Xi Jinping this week, along with several CEOs of high-tech companies. China’s relationship with Iran, trade between the US and China and longstanding issues about China’s relationship with Taiwan could all be discussed this week.
