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Montana Senator Baucus Headed To China To Promote Montana Agriculture, Manufacturing, Energy Development

Senator to Press Top Chinese Officials, Companies to Expand Trade Relationship with Montana, Support Good Paying Jobs

Montana’s senior U.S. Senator Max Baucus announced today that he will travel to China the week of October 10 to explore ways to open new markets for Montana ranchers, farmers, manufacturers and energy leaders to trade their world-class products.

"China is the world’s second largest economy and has more than a billion of the world’s consumers. We must further open the Chinese market to world-class Montana beef, wheat, and energy products," Baucus said. "China’s failure to accept U.S. beef is unacceptable, and I will press the Chinese government to open its markets to all cuts and all ages of safe and delicious Montana beef. I’ll also meet with business leaders and thinkers who are moving China’s economy forward and find ways to leverage China’s successes to support Montana jobs. This trip is all about making sure Montana has the opportunity to tap into the enormous potential for trade with China."

During the trip, Baucus will visit Beijing and Shanghai. He will meet with top officials in the Chinese Government, including the Chinese Minister of Commerce, and press China to increase market access for Montana agricultural products. Baucus will also discuss opportunities for energy development in Montana with leading Chinese wind turbine manufacturers who are looking to do business in the United States.

In September, the Ambassador from China to the Unites States, Zhang Yesui, announced he will direct his embassy to explore ways to increase China’s purchases of Montana wheat and beef. He made the announcement at Baucus’ Economic Development Summit in Butte on the heels of a Baucus-led tour of a Montana ranch and meetings with Montana ag producers.

The Chinese Ambassador and other world ambassadors were visiting Montana to promote Montana agriculture, tourism and manufacturing at Baucus’ invitation.

Currently, China effectively bans the importation of U.S. beef and is not a significant importer of U.S. wheat. In China, Baucus will press the Chinese government to deliver on the Ambassador’s promise.

Baucus will also will visit with Chinese elementary and middle school students learning about water sustainability through educational materials produced by Bozeman-based Project WET.

And Baucus will press the country to address issues affecting Montana exporters, such as China’s failure to properly value its currency and protect U.S. intellectual property rights, for example the piracy of software and movies.

"China’s failure to accurately value its currency and protect American ingenuity and intellectual costs American jobs. I will press China vigilantly to address these issues so that Montana companies can compete on a level playing field," Baucus said.

Baucus is chairman of the powerful Senate Finance Committee which has sole jurisdiction over international trade.

Contact: Kate Downen (406) 224-5056/Jennifer Donohue (202) 224-2651

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