Doug Wilson
QUINCY -- Farmers are sometimes called "eternal optimists," and the discourse between U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood and members of the Adams County Farm Bureau on Thursday bore that out.
LaHood, a Republican from Dunlap, said he is "cautiously optimistic" the U.S. trade dispute with China can be resolved in 30 to 60 days.
"We are right in the middle of a 90-day negotiation period. Ongoing, in-depth conversations are happening between the Trump administration and China," LaHood said at the Holiday Inn. "What I have stressed to the president and his team is that we need to resolve this sooner, rather than later."
The ag economy is down about 13 percent from last year, LaHood said. China's earlier ban on soybean imports from the U.S. has ended, but the purchases made in the past two months have been far short of previous years.
LaHood said he's not a fan of tariffs, which he considers taxes. And the U.S. tariffs that were placed on Chinese goods resulted in the agricultural products ban that has hurt farmers. He said between 40 and 50 percent of the corn and soybeans grown in Illinois are exported, and the loss of Chinese markets hurt prices this past year.
"I do give the president credit for trying to hold the Chinese accountable and change their behavior as it relates to theft of intellectual properties and forced technological transfers," LaHood said.
Officials from the Adams County Farm Bureau thanked LaHood for his update on what's happening in Washington and beyond.
"Darin LaHood has been very accessible to his constituency and his district," said Rick Edwards, Adams County Farm Bureau president.
Edwards was interested in the continuing work on a new trade deal with Mexico and Canada.
LaHood is a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, which reviews trade agreements before they go to the full House or Senate.
"Our USMCA, the United States Mexico and Canada Agreement, our new NAFTA is vitally important. About one-third of the products that we grow, produce or manufacture in Illinois go to Canada or Mexico. I think we'll see that deal completed within the next 90 days," LaHood said.
Edwards agreed that trade within North America is important for farmers. "Mexico is our biggest corn importer," Edwards said.
Shawn Valter, Adams County Farm Bureau manager, said it helps local farm producers to meet face to face with members of Congress to talk about issues.
Valter said the U.S. had a good soybean harvest this past year, and he does not expect a big jump in prices even if U.S. and China put their trade dispute to rest.
