This week the U.S. Senate approved Iowa Governor Terry Branstad’s nomination as Ambassador to China. Iowa Soybean Association President Rolland Schnell says that will be helpful in enhancing trade opportunities for U.S. soybean farmers. He says they’ll be meeting this summer in China with Branstad to talk about trade.

He says one of the primary issues Branstad will be able to help the U.S. soybean industry with is with biotech approvals.

Schnell says recent developments will help boost U.S. trade including Branstad’s confirmation, the creation of a new USDA Undersecretary for Trade and modernization talks set in the future for improving NAFTA.

Last year the U.S. soybean industry exported $27 billion in soybean products making it the largest agricultural export. Of that sales to China comprised more than $14 billion.