US delegation to CIIE shows agricultural trade is a ballast

The United States will reportedly send the highest-level delegation ever to participate in the sixth China International Import Expo that is opening in Shanghai on Sunday.

The reported participation of Jason Hafemeister, acting deputy under-secretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs at the US Department of Agriculture, and Wade Sheppard, senior adviser for North Asia at the USDA, is a departure from the past when only companies, trade organizations and local officials attended the expo.

The USDA will lead 17 exhibitors to the expo. Cosponsored by the USDA and the American Chamber of Commerce, the pavilion will showcase agricultural products and technologies from California, Idaho and Georgia. The US Heartland China Association, a private group, will also send a delegation of 20 state governors to explore trade opportunities. In addition, delegates from the American Meat Export Federation, the USA Poultry and Egg Export Council, the USA Rice Federation and the US Cranberry Marketing Committee will also be present.

The US federal government's participation, for the first time in six years, sends a signal of benign openness in agricultural and food trade between China and the US. Despite the trade friction, agriculture remains a highlight of Sino-US trade relations. The USDA reported that US agricultural exports to China had reached a record $36.4 billion in 2022, and China is expected to be the leading destination for US agricultural exports for the third year in a row.

The recent exchanges between China and the US are a shot in the arm of bilateral ties. At a recent news briefing, Sheng Qiuping, vice-minister of commerce, said the sixth CIIE is expected to welcome guests from 154 countries, regions and international organizations. More than 3,400 exhibitors and 394,000 visitors have registered, and more than 100 executives from the world's top 500 companies and leading industry enterprises have confirmed attendance. The CIIE is becoming a key platform for China's opening-up and its closer economic and trade ties with the rest of the world.