Press ReleaseNeutral2026-05-18

OMAHA WORLD-HERALD: I recently got back from China. Here's how I advocated for Nebraska.

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Context

This press release from Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) was published on 2026-05-18 and titled "OMAHA WORLD-HERALD: I recently got back from China. Here's how I advocated for Nebraska.".

Full Text

OMAHA WORLD-HERALD: I recently got back from China. Here's how I advocated for Nebraska.

Last week, I returned from an official congressional delegation trip to China. Four of my Senate colleagues and I traveled to Beijing and Shanghai to foster productive relationships with foreign leaders and advocate for American - and Nebraskan - interests. We met with several top Chinese officials: Premier Li Qiang, National People's Congress Chairman Zhao Leji and Foreign Minister Wang Yi. During these meetings, we talked about curbing the flow of fentanyl precursors into the United States, stability in the Strait of Hormuz, the Iranian foreign minister's recent visit to China, supply chain security, rare earth minerals, artificial intelligence, and the basic importance of keeping direct lines of communication open between our two governments. But let me tell you what was most on my mind while in Asia: Nebraska. That's why we brought up market access and non-tariff barriers for Nebraska farmers and ranchers who are being shut out of one of the largest consumer markets on earth. The Chinese beef market - the biggest in the world outside the United States - has been closed to American producers for over a year. Foreign Minister Yi told us that China has the demand for beef, and the United States can provide it. Now, they need to follow through. China has allowed U.S. meatpacking export registrations to lapse while U.S. Department of Agriculture and Food and Drug Administration applications sat unreviewed. This stall tactic is unacceptable, and Nebraska producers are paying the price. The same goes for soybeans. China has purchased 12 million metric tons this year, half of what is typically exported to China. They still owe 25 million for the next three years under their commitments; we must hold them to that. Our farmers also need expanded access for wheat, barley, pulse crops, potatoes, and grain sorghum. The Chinese need to uphold the standard of reciprocal trade our nations agreed to. We also need to see more progress on stopping the flow of fentanyl. Premier Li has been open to working on this issue, and we made sure he knew how serious of a priority this is for us. Chinese authorities are beginning to cooperate more meaningfully to disrupt the pipeline that sends precursor chemicals from China to Mexico and ultimately into American communities. It is not enough yet. But it is movement, and we will keep pushing. As President Trump travels to China this week for his summit with President Xi, I am sure he will bring the same sense of urgency. There are real opportunities to seize at this juncture, and the cost of leaving them on the table is too high to ignore. I look forward to seeing what comes to fruition.

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OMAHA WORLD-HERALD: I recently got back from China. Here's how I advocated for Nebraska. Last week, I returned from an official congressional delegation trip to China. Four of my Senate colleagues and I traveled to Beijing and Shanghai to foster productive relationships with foreign leaders and advocate for American - and Nebraskan - interests. We met with several top Chinese officials: Premier Li Qiang, National People's Congress Chairman Zhao Leji and Foreign Minister Wang Yi. During these meetings, we talked about curbing the flow of fentanyl precursors into the United States, stability in the Strait of Hormuz, the Iranian foreign minister's recent visit to China, supply chain security, rare earth minerals, artificial intelligence, and the basic importance of keeping direct lines of communication open between our two governments. But let me tell you what was most on my mind while in Asia: Nebraska. That's why we brought up market access and non-tariff barriers for Nebraska farmers and ranchers who are being shut out of one of the largest consumer markets on earth. The Chinese beef market - the biggest in the world outside the United States - has been closed to American producers for over a year. Foreign Minister Yi told us that China has the demand for beef, and the United States can provide it. Now, they need to follow through. China has allowed U.S. meatpacking export registrations to lapse while U.S. Department of Agriculture and Food and Drug Administration applications sat unreviewed. This stall tactic is unacceptable, and Nebraska producers are paying the price. The same goes for soybeans. China has purchased 12 million metric tons this year, half of what is typically exported to China. They still owe 25 million for the next three years under their commitments; we must hold them to that. Our farmers also need expanded access for wheat, barley, pulse crops, potatoes, and grain sorghum. The Chinese need to uphold the standard of reciprocal trade our nations agreed to. We also need to see more progress on stopping the flow of fentanyl. Premier Li has been open to working on this issue, and we made sure he knew how serious of a priority this is for us. Chinese authorities are beginning to cooperate more meaningfully to disrupt the pipeline that sends precursor chemicals from China to Mexico and ultimately into American communities. It is not enough yet. But it is movement, and we will keep pushing. As President Trump travels to China this week for his summit with President Xi, I am sure he will bring the same sense of urgency. There are real opportunities to seize at this juncture, and the cost of leaving them on the table is too high to ignore. I look forward to seeing what comes to fruition.