How soybeans connect China and the US trade

As the 33rd APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting approaches in Shenzhen, food security and agricultural cooperation are in focus across this year’s agenda. The role of trade in safeguarding food security and strengthening the resilience of food supply chains is among the top concerns of APEC economies.

For China and the US, agricultural trade has been a crucial part of their economic and trade cooperation for decades, with tangible benefits for people and businesses on both sides. CGTN reporter Li Jingjing spoke with two leading figures from the US soybean industry in Beijing to discuss the importance of this trade relationship: Brent Gatton, chair of the United Soybean Board (USB), and Jim Sutter, chief executive officer of the US Soybean Export Council (USSEC).

Gatton, a fifth-generation farmer from Kentucky, explains how access to major export markets, particularly China, has helped boost returns for US family farms. Sutter highlights how APEC can help foster a more stable and predictable trading environment for China and the US, and why stable agricultural trade matters to both countries.