The American Soybean Association (ASA) participated in a U.S--China dialogue to discuss agriculture trade on the outskirts of the Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT) meeting. Industry and government officials from both the U.S. and China attended the seminar, which focused on three key areas including, strengthening consumer protection and enhancing public confidence in the supply chain; transparency and implementation of food safety regulations; and international best practices on preventing and responding to food safety incidents.

Many of the presenters throughout the event centered their comments on the need for an abundant and safe food supply focusing on the role or innovation and partnerships.

Both U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and U.S. Trade Ambassador Michael Froman focused their comments on the need for regulations that are founded in science and risk based international standards. Vilsack also mentioned the necessity of ensuring that the regulatory process isn't over burdensome with both certification and registration requirements.

China's Vice Premier Wang Yang spoke on the importance of two-way trade between the U.S. and China, highlighting China's recent announcement to lift the ban on U.S. beef. However, he stressed the differences between our two countries regarding sentiments on GMOs, stating the china takes a prudent approach to GMOs. Yang was quick to note that China is not protectionist with regard to GMOs, citing their import of U.S. GMO soybeans. The Vice Premier also rebutted Vilsack's remarks imploring China to meet their World Trade Organization (WTO) requirements around notification of standards. Yang insisted that China's domestic support program is compliant with the WTO.

Over all, the seminar reinforced the desire of both the U.S. and China to strengthen the agricultural trade relationship.

The seminar represented the public forum for a series of private government to government discussions that occurred during the JCCT last week.