This is John Batch for a conversation with Alan Tallness and my colleague who helps me understand trade and manufacturing these many years.

Looking at the Trump administration's early days in policy disputes and policy agreements with the People's Republic of China.

Alan has reason to be hopeful and positive about what he knows so far, and yet there

are worries. Here Alan explains what bothers him about the Trump administration so far.

Comes down to one word, soybeans. Here's Alan. Much more of this tonight.

I would really start to become very worried that the Trump administration,

which I think overall has been a vast improvement over predecessors in terms of overall China trade policy,

but there are really signs in recent months that the Trump administration

is letting soybeans and agriculture drive U.S. trade policy now.

And while it may make sense for President Trump and the Republicans from a political

perspective, because he obviously doesn't want to lose a big chunk of his base just

before the 26 midterm elections. From the standpoint of the entire U.S. economy and certainly

U.S. national security, which is so closely tied to manufacturing and U.S. interests overall,

it makes no sense, whatever.

Gordon, you have a question for Alan.