(February 28, 2019) – House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin C. Peterson of Minnesota issued a statement Thursday following the World Trade Organization’s ruling in favor of the United States in its complaint alleging unfair subsidies for Chinese rice and wheat producers. The complaint, initiated by U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Michael Froman and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in 2016, did not issue a ruling on the accompanying complaint on Chinese subsidies for corn production.

“I’m very pleased that the WTO has ruled in favor of our farmers. Today’s ruling is a huge win at a time when such wins are sorely needed. It should enable a fairer playing field and allow our farmers to focus on farming. I hope the panel will issue a similar ruling on Chinese corn subsidies, but it’s also my hope that this ruling can help our negotiators reach a positive path forward to reopen trade with China and reclaim the markets that the trade war has cost our farmers.”