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ASA CEO: lack of new trade deals a challenge
The CEO of the American Soybean Association says he is disappointed with the lack of new trade agreements in the last two years.
Steve Censky says deals are on hold with countries who want to do business as the U.S. soybean industry is trying to diversify markets.
“A U.S. and UK trade deal would be great, along with a trade deal with Kenya. We would also like to come back and enter into the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.”
Then, he says add China to the mix…
“They’re still the largest soybean importer in the world. Putting it in perspective, they import more soybeans than the rest of the world combined and are very important to the United States.”
However, Censky says the Biden administration is focusing on enforcing current trade deals and that’s been important for addressing non-tariff trade barriers, like biotechnology.
“We are supportive of the efforts that have been done by the administration in working on Mexico over their biotech approvals in their attempt to shun biotech corn, because we know that could affect any product.”
But he says…
“We also need new bilateral or regional trade agreements to open up new market access and that means dealing with tariffs.”
Brownfield interviewed Censky at the Farm Progress Show in Decatur, Illinois.
