China's Agricultural Trade; Competitive Conditions and Effects on U.S. Exports. Investigation No. 322-518

摘要

This report describes and analyzes government policies and other factors that affect the conditions of competition in Chinas agricultural market and trade, as well as their effects on U.S. agricultural exports. It provides an overview of (a) Chinas agricultural imports, exports, consumption, and production during 200509; (b) Chinese government regulations relating to the agricultural market; (c) competitive factors affecting the Chinese agricultural sector, with case studies to analyze these factors; and (d) Chinese tariffs, nontariff measures (NTMs), and free trade agreements (FTAs). The study also uses economic modeling to provide an analysis of the effects of Chinese tariffs, FTAs, and certain NTMs on U.S. agricultural exports. Results suggest that the elimination of Chinese tariffs and nontariffs measures could lead to an additional 3.9 billion to 5.2 billion in U.S. agricultural exports to China. Chinas agricultural trade has grown rapidly, particularly since its market liberalization leading up to its 2001 accession to the World Trade Organization. Chinas chief agricultural exports consist of labor-intensive horticultural products shipped mainly to regional markets, while imports are limited to a small number of commodities, including soybeans, vegetable oils, poultry, cotton, and hides and skins. Chinese consumption patterns are changing because of urbanization, rising incomes, and the importance of food safety and quality to consumers. China is a major global producer of agricultural products, especially fruits, vegetables, rice, cotton, and pork. Overall, China is largely self-sufficient, with the exception of a few key commodities which it imports. Government support for Chinas farm sector has grown significantly since 2004 when, in an important shift in economic policy, the government began supporting agriculture instead of taxing the sector to support industrial development. Most government programs for agriculture fall into four categories: direct payments, price support programs, agricultural infrastructure projects, and regulatory reforms (e.g., food safety and standards).