What might happen to ND trade if China-US ties deteriorate ?

Bismarck, North Dakota – The United States and China have the two biggest economies in the world. The White House has been unable to create a secure commercial relationship with the nation despite repeated attempts at negotiations.

According to the U.S. China Business Council, China surpassed Canada as North Dakota’s second-largest export market in 2022. This is an improvement from the fourth place in 2021.

“They are a big buyer of our soybeans domestically. Their basis bids for us determine whether our prices are reasonable compared to what the Midwest gets or are deflated, because if we can’t sell beans to China through the Pacific Northwest, then we have to send them east down the Mississippi. Then, it costs more. The farmers have to absorb that cost, lowering their return,” said Eugene Graner, president of Heartland Investor Services.

However, according to commodity experts, there are obstacles along the way, and North Dakota might prevail – at least for the time being.

China was successful in obtaining soybeans from South America during the trade conflict under the Trump Administration. Now, according to professional judgments, North Dakota is in a better position, even if the two countries are unable to come to an agreement.

“Argentina just went through a drought. The U.S. is having trouble with Midwestern production for total supplies. Now, we’re seeing Brazil will start planting its new crop this fall of soybeans, but they’re in a dry period and they’re going to delay their planting for quite some time. China might have no choice but to buy soybeans from North Dakota,” said Graner.

10,670 American jobs were supported by trade with China from North Dakota in 2021.

President Biden departed today for the G20 summit in India, where, according to NBC political analysts, he will concentrate on bolstering economic and security alliances to fight China.