The Illinois Farm Bureau says the first phase deal with China that President Donald Trump signed Wednesday is historic for Illinois soybean producers and farmers. Bureau President Richard Guebert said in a statement that farmers are ready to regain their trading position with China and look forward to a full-fledged trade agreement.
“Today’s signing of the China Phase One trade deal is a significant, historic day for the nation’s number one soybean producer, Illinois farmers, who are ready to get back to business and gain their profits from the marketplace.
“Illinois farmers are ready to regain our trading position with China as a result of today’s signing. We are well positioned to fulfill China’s demand of soybeans, pork and additional commodities and this agreement provides a pathway for the next generation of Illinois young farmers.
“We are appreciative of President Trump and his administration’s persistent efforts over the past 24 months to negotiate a deal that benefits U.S. agriculture and the economy. Illinois Farm Bureau remains interested in the dollar amount of agricultural purchases to be made in the coming years by China, and the means by which those commitments will be upheld. We look forward to continued phases of a full-fledged free trade agreement.
“The signing of this agreement aligns with the eighty-five percent of surveyed Illinois Farm Bureau members who identified ‘regaining lost ag export demand’ as their top priority for the coming year in the organization’s annual survey in late November 2019.”
The Illinois Farm Bureau is a member of the American Farm Bureau Federation, a national organization of farmers and ranchers. Founded in 1916, IFB is a non-profit, membership organization directed by farmers who join through their county Farm Bureau. IFB has a total membership of more than 386,291 and a voting membership of 79,159. IFB represents three out of four farmers.
