According to Under Secretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Ted McKinney, there’s a good relationship between the USDA and China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. McKinney thinks both sides would like to get back to the negotiating table. “If you start with a level of trust, that’s good. I also think China knows they need the U.S., just as we need and want them,” says McKinney. “What’s at stake here is the president has correctly taken a strong stand, saying China needs to quit stealing our intellectual property and forcing technology transfer. That request has been made very clearly to China, and they have not yet to responded to those two simple requests. When they do, we have the opportunity to get back to the table.” Listen to more of the interview.
(Photo Credit: USDA)