Soybeans excluded from tariff relief list, CNN reports
The White House on Sunday described the agreement as a “30-for-30 framework,” in which each country reduces tariffs on $30 billion worth of goods. The White House said the goods affected include mostly U.S. imports of toys, sports equipment, car seats and holiday decorations from China, and Chinese imports of agricultural products and coal from the United States.
“From agricultural products to medical devices, President [Donald] Trump is unlocking improved market access for about 30% of U.S. exports to China, while benefiting consumers with imports from China of household goods, toys and other products that the United States generally does not import from other countries,” U.S. Trade Ambassador Jamieson Greer said Sunday.
Greer said the Trump administration would continue to pursue “fair, balanced and reciprocal trade with China by ensuring compliance with commitments on agricultural and energy purchases, pursuing balanced trade in non-sensitive goods, and securing market access for American farmers, manufacturers, businesses and workers.”
In total, more than 1,600 U.S. items would be subject to lower tariffs, including corn, wheat, frozen meat, seafood, cosmetics and medical devices, according to the White House. CNN reported that the lack of soybeans on the list would be unwelcome news for American soybean farmers who have been negatively impacted by the years of trade war between the two countries.