Wendong Zhang, assistant professor, was quoted in a March 19 USAgnet story, "ISU: Coronavirus Creates Trade Deal Uncertainty." Zhang was quoted from an article he co-authored for The Conversation.
"The farmers are hopeful, but they want to understand how the phase one deal will impact their income and export potential, and the coronavirus adds significant uncertainty" said Wendong Zhang, an assistant professor and extension economist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.
Zhang said there is reason for U.S. producers to be optimistic, including China's own post-coronavirus recovery and increased demand for pork and other proteins, due mostly to the devastating effects of African swine fever.
"Once life returns to normal, as the coronavirus outbreak slows globally, I think the orders and shipments will slowly ramp up. But the coronavirus will definitely be a hard hit," Zhang said.
This story also covered in:
Farm Progress, March 23
Oskaloosa Herald, March 23
The Perry News, March 24
KMA land radio, March 25