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The countries are "moving toward an understanding of how we
might be able to establish a strategic dialogue on
biotechnology," Vilsack told Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang in a
bilateral meeting in Chicago.
Biotech crops are a key trade issue between the countries
because China has rejected more than 1 million tons of U.S. corn
containing traces of a type of genetically modified corn,
Agrisure Viptera, in the past year. The strain, developed by
Syngenta AG, is approved for planting in the United States but
not for import by Beijing.
U.S. seed makers have complained that China's regulatory review
of new biotech crops has slowed over the past year and that
decisions to delay import approvals for new strains are not
always based on science.
China's barriers to imports of some U.S. genetically modified
crops are disrupting seed companies' plans for new product
launches and keeping at least one variety out of the U.S. market
altogether.
The countries will "deepen our agro-technology cooperation,"
Wang said later in a speech at the U.S.-China Joint Commission
on Commerce and Trade.
Topics discussed at the forum included food security in China.
Beijing has said it wants to be self sufficient in grain
production, and the United States is "willing to collaborate
significantly in agricultural research" with China, Vilsack said
later in a speech at the forum.
China accounts for 20 percent of all U.S. farm exports, he said.
(Reporting by Tom Polansek; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Alan
Crosby)
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