Missouri will sell around $4.4 billion worth of agricultural products to China, in a trade agreement announced today by Governor Jay Nixon (D).
Speaking to reporters via conference call from Beijing, Nixon said exports from Missouri will increase by more than a billion dollars between 2012 and 2014.
“Increasing our exports is a critical means of creating Missouri jobs and growing our economy at home," Nixon said. "This agreement is another important step in that direction.”
Nixon also says the recent failure of Missouri lawmakers to pass air cargo hub tax credits did not jeopardize the new trade agreement.
“We are always looking for more alternative ways to export Missouri products, (and it) would’ve been nice to have that additional avenue," Nixon said. "The topic came up a couple of times only, but not as the centerpiece of any of the agreements we were involved with.”
While in China, Governor Nixon is also scheduled to meet with U.S. Ambassador Gary Locke, and to address the American Chamber of Commerce. He’s set to return to Missouri on Saturday.
