(NAFB) – The U.S. China Heartland Association recently held an agricultural trade roundtable with officials from the U.S. and China. Polly Ruhland, CEO of the United Soybean Board, took part in the discussions aimed at improving the relationship between both countries. She says a better working relationship between the world’s two largest economies will benefit the world economy as well.

A better relationship will lead to fewer trade barriers, something that benefits both countries financially.

Ruhland says the two countries are benefitting from a trade relationship that began four decades ago. American farmers have China to thank for the high-quality soybean genetics in the U.S.

She says the U.S. produces more soybeans than it can consume, while China can’t grow enough to meet its domestic demand. That means the two countries need each other, and improving the relationship between the countries is the right place to start.