U.S. trade talks continue with international trade partners.

Earlier this year a new trade deal with China looked to be finalized with the U.S., but then both countries never came to a final agreement. Iowa’s Fourth Congressional District Representative Steve King believes the sticking point was about China stealing American intellectual property. 

Earlier this month, King passed an amendment in the House to the National Defense Authorization Act. It requires the Department of Defense to analyze China’s surveillance and determine if it is a threat to American security interests. The overall bill also passed in the House 220-197. 

As for the new U.S.-Mexico-Canada-Agreement (USMCA), the proposed legislation was introduced to Congress earlier this month, which King says they are in a 60-day window to discuss it. Once that has expired, Congress must vote and can’t amend it. 

King talks about trade with all three countries and what he would like to see as the best outcome.

“Last year we had more ag exports into Canada and Mexico from the United States than we did into China. China had been number one the previous year with about $23 billion. But Canada and Mexico were each worth almost $20 billion in trade. I think our China ag export trade dropped down to about $9.8 billion. We could double or triple our trade to China with a good deal and keep those good markets in Canada and Mexico.”      

King points out the Mexico has already ratified the USMCA and he believes Canada will do the same. However, he doesn’t have a clear timeline of when a new trade deal will be finalized and adopted with China.