The U.S. wants Beijing to allow increased imports of genetically modified, or GMO, crops into China as part of trade deal between the two countries, Reuters reported, citing two people familiar with the matter.
One of the sources said that U.S. Department of Agriculture is in talks with Chinese officials on the matter, Reuters noted. Washington has repeatedly raised the issue in trade talks with China.
While China's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs does not allow cultivation of GMO food crops, it does not prohibit imports of GMO soybeans and corn, which are used in its animal feed industry. But U.S. biotech companies say the approval process is unpredictable and can take several years, Reuters noted.
The U.S. Agriculture Department, China's Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs did not respond to requests for a comment, Reuters said.
