Agricultural cooperation between the United States and China is playing an increasingly important role in fostering stronger bilateral relations, industry leaders said during a recent event in central China’s Henan province. The 2026 Heartland Connect & U.S.-China Agriculture Roundtable, held in Zhengzhou earlier this month, brought together more than 100 participants from U.S. and Chinese agricultural sectors, including industry associations, companies, youth organizations, and provincial representatives.

Susan Thornton, vice-chair of the U.S. Heartland China Association, emphasized that agriculture extends beyond simple trade and business transactions, serving as a stabilizing force amid broader diplomatic ties. Speaking at the roundtable, Thornton noted that the event aligns with recent high-level engagements, including President Xi Jinping’s reception of U.S. President Donald Trump in Beijing last month, which she described as a positive step toward enhancing predictability and stability in the U.S.-China relationship.

Thornton highlighted the potential benefits for American farmers and ranchers, saying that improved stability would open opportunities to expand exports, attract new customers, and reinforce rural economies across the U.S. heartland. Echoing this sentiment, Mike Koehne, board director of the American Soybean Association, pointed to the robust soybean trade as a clear example of successful cooperation. He stressed the importance of direct communication in building trust and identifying new business opportunities with Chinese partners.

Representing Chinese interests, Yang Wanming, president of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, expressed China’s willingness to deepen industrial collaboration in areas such as grain production and value-added agricultural processing. Yang also suggested that both countries could focus on diversifying agricultural product trade and strengthening logistics and trade linkages.

John Zhang, vice-president of irrigation equipment manufacturer Reinke Manufacturing Co., highlighted the broad potential for joint development in multiple agricultural fields including crop production, scientific research, livestock farming, and food processing. Zhang praised Henan province’s “farm-to-dining table” model, noting its mature industrial chain and distinct local advantages. He contrasted this with the United States’ early advancements in agricultural industrialization and modernization, particularly in production technology and operational management, which he said offer valuable lessons.

The delegation’s visit to local food processing facilities such as Sanquan, a frozen food producer, and meat processor Shuanghui, allowed participants to observe firsthand the efficiency and scale of Chinese food manufacturing. Anna Ashton, founder of Ashton Analytics, who accompanied the group, remarked on the familiarity of Sanquan’s products in American supermarkets and the impressive speed of production.

The event also included U.S. agricultural science students and young farmers, who gained exposure to Chinese agricultural practices and culture. Ashton noted the value of such exchanges in fostering mutual understanding between young people from both countries.

Overall, the roundtable underscored the potential of agriculture as a platform for advancing cooperation and sustaining dialogue amid the complexities of U.S.-China relations.