Sino-US agricultural cooperation vital for food security

Editor's Note: Following the recent meetings between leaders of China and the United States and amid growing concerns about global food security and trade tensions, the 2026 China-US Subnational Cooperation Dialogue: Think Tank Dialogue was organized by the Institute of World Economics and Politics at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in Beijing on June 18. It brought together experts and scholars from both countries to discuss Sino-US agricultural cooperation and the resilience of the global food system. Following are excerpts from the discussions.

Agriculture can steady China-US relations

During President Donald Trump's successful visit to China in May, the leaders of the two countries held productive talks and reached important common understandings on agriculture. Both sides agreed to take concrete steps to reduce non-tariff barriers and improve mechanisms for market access for agricultural products.

China and the US both have well-developed agricultural industrial chains and vast agricultural markets. Their competitive agricultural products are also highly complementary, creating broad space for cooperation. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, agriculture has been an important area of China-US economic and trade cooperation, as well as a key pillar of the broader bilateral relationship.

As one of the world's most important bilateral relationships, China-US relations must be properly managed. Despite the ups and downs in bilateral ties in recent years, agricultural trade between the two countries has shown strong resilience.

Food security is a basic guarantee for human survival and development. Achieving global food security requires not only stronger cooperation among governments, but also the wisdom and input of think tanks.

Against this backdrop, the Think Tank Dialogue on China-US agricultural cooperation carries special significance. It provides an important platform for agricultural experts from both countries to exchange views, engage in candid discussion and offer ideas on deepening agricultural cooperation.

At a time when global food systems face mounting challenges, such dialogue can help the two countries expand common ground, manage differences and contribute to solutions for global food security.

Bilateral cooperation carries global responsibility

This dialogue on agriculture takes place at an important moment in Sino-US relations. The recent visit of US President Donald Trump to China, high-level interactions in May, and the 2026 Heartland Connect & US-China Agriculture Roundtable held in Zhengzhou, Henan province, in June show that the two countries share deep concerns and mutual interests in agriculture — not just commercially, but also in education and rural cooperation.

Agriculture is a core link between the two countries. Both China and the US manage large and complex food systems that, despite structural differences, are highly complementary.

Both countries also share the responsibility for global food security. Ensuring a stable and resilient agricultural supply chain requires cooperation rather than isolation, especially as global food systems face increasing pressures.

At the same time, agriculture is confronted with structural challenges, including climate stress, resource constraints, demographic shifts and rural revitalization. These challenges are too complex for one country to solve alone, underscoring the importance of sustained dialogue at different levels.

Youth engagement is a key element of this process. Exchanges between students from China and the US are crucial for building long-term understanding in agriculture and rural development.

Agriculture and food systems are the foundation of human society. Agricultural cooperation is essential for enhancing the resilience and stability of the global food system, especially at a time when uncertainty is increasing. We believe that Sino-US cooperation will shape the future of the world and leave a lasting impact on future generations.

Agriculture as stabilizer in Sino-US relations

Positive working relationships are important in public service. This is particularly true in Sino-US relations, where it is not always possible to reach an agreement on every issue. Serious issues still divide the US and China, but collaboration remains important, particularly in agriculture. Agriculture remains an area where China and the US can find common ground and cooperate effectively. Both countries share common interests in agriculture and face the same challenges, including climate change, drought, floods, and pest outbreaks.

The increasing unpredictability of weather conditions due to climate change has made agricultural production more difficult across the world.

There are significant mutual interests in agricultural trade between the two countries. US farmers export livestock, poultry, soybeans and other agricultural products to China, and there is strong interest in maintaining stable agricultural trade relations with China. Agricultural equipment and machinery are also part of bilateral exchange.

The US and China are not enemies. They may be competitors in some fields, but in many areas their interests are aligned. Cooperation yields greater benefits than confrontation, and maintaining a stable bilateral relationship is therefore very important.

Education exchanges are an important part of the relationship, with Chinese students having a long-standing presence in US agricultural universities.

The Sino-US relationship is of great significance for both nations. As the world's two largest economies, there is broad space for bilateral cooperation in agriculture, science, public health and other fields, despite the competition in certain areas.

Unlocking untapped potential of agricultural cooperation

There is immense potential for cooperation between China and the US in agriculture. The two countries can work together in areas such as scientific research, education, trade, and support for agricultural development in less developed regions, particularly Africa. Although this potential has been widely recognized, there has been a decline in momentum in recent years, which highlights the need for stronger engagement and more systematic cooperation.

In science and technology, climate change poses a global challenge that cannot be addressed by one country alone. Agriculture is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions and also the sector most affected by climate change.

Therefore, there is substantial room for cooperation in reducing emissions from agriculture and improving adaptation to climate impacts, which would contribute to global food security and agricultural resilience.

Food security and agricultural sustainability are also global issues that require joint efforts.

In biotechnology, there is significant potential for collaboration in areas such as bio-breeding, gene editing, and the industrialization of biotechnology. Policy coordination in these fields is important for supporting agricultural innovation and ensuring stable development of global agricultural trade.

China and the US are highly complementary in agricultural trade. The US has abundant land resources, while China has a large population and limited arable land. This structural complementarity supports trade in key commodities such as soybeans, corn and cotton. Stable import and export expectations are important for both sides and create predictable agricultural markets.

Beyond bilateral relations, cooperation also has potential in supporting agricultural development in Africa and other developing regions. Joint efforts in technology transfer, capacity building, infrastructure development, and the application of biotechnology and data technology could help reduce hunger and improve global food security.

Overall, enhanced communication and more regular exchanges among researchers, enterprises, educators and policymakers from China and the US can translate the cooperation potential into practical outcomes and long-term benefits.

Balancing interdependence and security in agricultural trade

Sino-US agricultural trade is part of a global system of interdependence that has evolved over decades and continues to deliver clear benefits. Agriculture is not just an economic sector but also a fundamental human necessity. Food security and agricultural stability are essential for every society and are deeply intertwined with global peace and development.

In recent years, however, discussions about interdependence have increasingly been reframed through the lens of security. This shift has contributed to expanding restrictions, particularly in high-technology sectors.

While such measures are often justified as necessary for national security, they also generate broader consequences, impacting other industries and the functioning of global supply chains. Trade is becoming more politicized, and at times even treated as a strategic instrument.

Agricultural trade has not been immune to these dynamics. The tariff measures during the 2018-20 trade tensions and the subsequent responses significantly reshaped commodity flows between major economies.

Despite these disruptions, engagement between Chinese and US agricultural companies, universities, and institutions continues. These interactions suggest that there is a strong foundation for cooperation and a shared interest in stability.

Beyond agriculture, there is significant potential for broader bilateral cooperation. For instance, in public health, China has made notable progress in diabetes prevention.

Its experience could be shared to help reduce systemic risks and improve outcomes on both sides.

China and the US should avoid politicizing agriculture and instead strengthen cooperation to reduce systemic risks. The lesson of 1945 remains relevant: the greatest vulnerability comes from mistrust between parties.

Global agriculture faces fragmentation, rising risks

Global agriculture is entering a phase of uncertainty and fragmentation, where it is being shaped by geopolitics, climate change and rising economic complexity. The recent Sino-US leaders' meeting in May, which emphasized building a more stable bilateral relationship, was significant not only for economic stability, but also for the resilience of global agricultural supply chains.

Historically, global agriculture has moved through three broad stages. The Green Revolution period was defined by expanding supply and relatively low food prices. The early 21st century saw both rising production and structural upgrading, driven by technology and rapidly growing demand from emerging economies.

In the past decade, and especially after 2020, there has been a marked shift. The growth in supply has slowed, while demand for food grains remains strong. Global markets remain broadly balanced, but regional imbalances, policy uncertainty and geopolitical tensions have become more pronounced.

At the same time, the impact of climate change has become more visible. Some key producing regions have experienced output fluctuations, while global stocks in major exporting countries have declined, reducing the buffer capacity of the global food system.

Energy and agriculture are more closely linked now. Rising energy and fertilizer costs are directly increasing agricultural production costs and putting pressure on farmers' incomes, particularly in developing economies.

Meanwhile, trade fragmentation is increasing logistics costs and weakening the efficiency of supply chains.

Risks to key transportation routes and growing policy uncertainty are pushing agricultural trade toward regionalization, making the global system more fragile and less predictable.

Beyond these trends, global agricultural governance faces deeper structural challenges, including persistent technological gaps between regions, rising climate risks, tensions between emissions reduction and development needs, and increasingly fragmented regulatory systems.

In this context, strengthening international cooperation in agricultural technology, climate adaptation and digital tools is essential for improving supply chain resilience and safeguarding global food security.

The views don't necessarily reflect those of China Daily.

MA XUEJING/CHINA DAILY