Release No. 0050.00 
                                                               
                                                               
                                    Andy Solomon (202) 720-4623
                                          andy.solomon@usda.gov
                                                               
CHINA'S WTO ACCESSION TO SIGNIFICANTLY BOOST U.S. AGRICULTURAL
EXPORTS

     WASHINGTON, February 15, 2000 -- China's participation in the World Trade
Organization will result in at least $2 billion per year in additional U.S. agricultural exports by
2005, Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman announced today.  

     "A gain of $2 billion each year in expanded exports to China would be welcome news to
American farmers and the struggling U.S. farm economy, which relies heavily on overseas
markets," Glickman said, in remarks to the Commodity Club of Washington.  

     According to new USDA estimates, China's WTO accession would result in $1.6 billion
annually in additional U.S. exports of grains, oilseeds and related products, and cotton by 2005.  

     Tariffs would also be reduced significantly for other products, such as poultry, pork, beef,
citrus, other fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, and forest and fish products.  This could result in an
additional $350-450 million in U.S. export growth, bringing the total gain to about $2 billion
annually by 2005.  

     "In order to realize these gains, we will be vigilant to ensure that China lives up to its
WTO commitments, effectively administers tariff rate quotas, eliminates discriminatory
licensing, and fully implements last April's Agricultural Cooperation Agreement reducing
phytosanitary barriers for citrus, wheat and meat," Glickman said.  

     Agricultural exports to China could be even higher in 2005 than this nearly $2 billion
annual estimate, Glickman said.  China's projected 7-percent annual GDP growth will likely
increase demand for many other products not included in the estimate, including dairy products
such as cheese, snack foods, grocery items, wine, beef, distilled spirits and tobacco.

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