Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack promises to press China to fulfill its Phase One trade agreement obligations, but admits it’s complicated.

“We’re involved in a multiple level, complex relationship with China,” said Vilsack during a virtual appearance before the Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City and Agri-Pulse Ag Outlook Forum Monday. “And it’s not a simple thing to put together how to approach China.”

China is the main reason USDA is forecasting record agricultural exports both this year and next year. The FY 2021 forecast of $173.5 billion is $33.8 billion, or 24 percent, higher than the FY 2020 final total and nearly $17 billion above the previous record set in FY 2014. Next year, U.S. farm and food exports are projected at a record $177.5 billion, topping 2021 by $4 billion. China is expected to remain the United States’ largest export market, followed by Canada and Mexico.