Monday, February 16, 2015

U.S. claims China subsidizes food exports

The United States has filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization over China’s agriculture subsidies.

It must surely rank as one of the most egregious examples of a pot calling a kettle black.

The U.S. claims they are export subsidies that violate international trade agreements.

As if the multi-billion-dollar U.S. farm subsidies don't do the same.

California farmers are complaining the most about Chinese subsidies that make it more difficult for them to export poultry, fruits and vegetables to Chinese buyers.

But the complaint that has been filed by the U.S. Trade Representative office also cites textiles and medical devices.

“The Chinese market represents the third largest trading partner for California agriculture at roughly $1.4 billion,” says U.S. Congressman Jim Costa, a Democrat from California.


“That is why this challenge brought by the U.S. Trade Representative is so important,” he says.