U.S. Grains Council responds to Chinese inquiry into trade practices

The USGC maintains it abides by correct trade practices but is nonetheless ready to fully cooperate with the investigation.
The USGC maintains it abides by correct trade practices but is nonetheless ready to fully cooperate with the investigation. | File photo
The president of the United States Grains Council (USGC) is warning there could be lasting repercussions from the Chinese Ministry of Commerce's (MOFCOM) announcement that it has initiated anti-dumping and countervailing duty investigations of U.S. distillers' dried grains with solubles (DDGS) exported to China.

“We are disappointed to see today the initiation of anti-dumping and countervailing duties investigations of U.S. DDGS exports to China," USGC President Thomas Sleight said. "We believe the allegations by the Chinese petitioners are unwarranted and unhelpful. They could have negative effects on U.S. ethanol and DDGS producers, as well as on Chinese consumers, potentially over a period of many years. We are also confident that our trading practices for DDGS, ethanol and all coarse grains and related products are fair throughout the world. We stand ready to cooperate fully with these investigations and will be working closely with our members to coordinate the U.S. industry response.”

The USGC maintains it abides by correct trade practices but is nonetheless ready to fully cooperate with the investigation. It wants to continue the good trade relationship it has enjoyed with China for 35 years.

“The U.S. Grains Council has worked in China since 1981 to find solutions to the challenges of food security through development and trade," Sleight said. "There have been measurable positive effects of this work for the Chinese feed and livestock industries and Chinese consumers. We and our members will work vigorously in the coming months to demonstrate that the allegations being investigated by MOFCOM are false, even while we continue to stand ready to expand our cooperation with China on agricultural issues of mutual benefit."