Head of U.S. Soybean Export Council: The Chinese Market Is Irreplaceable

In a recent interview with a Xinhua reporter, Jim Sutter, CEO of the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC), stated that the U.S. soybean industry has always regarded China as its "most important and cherished market," emphasizing that "the Chinese market is irreplaceable."

"China is the most irreplaceable market for U.S. soybean exports," Sutter told the reporter. "We value and appreciate the opportunities presented by the Chinese market and believe this relationship deserves our continued investment."

Sutter mentioned that the USSEC entered the Chinese market in 1982 and has since established excellent cooperative relations with Chinese partners. Today, the council maintains a resident team of nearly 20 people in China, working long-term with industry partners in areas such as sustainable production and supply chain management.

Sutter expressed optimism about the future of U.S.-China cooperation, hoping that agricultural collaboration between the two countries will get back on track. "Agriculture has always been a bridge connecting the two nations. In this era of uncertainty, our task is to strengthen this bridge further, not let it collapse."

He highly commended China's continuous efforts to advance high-level opening up, citing the China International Import Expo (CIIE) as a prime example. "This is a wise direction. China and the world can mutually benefit in many areas, and cooperation based on mutual interests can yield significant shared benefits."

Sutter noted that this year, 13 U.S. agricultural commodity associations are jointly participating in the CIIE, covering sectors such as soybeans, corn, dairy products, and meat. He emphasized that face-to-face communication is crucial for building trust and that participating in the CIIE is an opportunity to send a clear signal to Chinese partners: "We are still here, and we still value the Chinese market."