Alaska Governor Bill Walker traveling to China to talk seafood

Alaska Governor Bill Walker will be traveling to China this May with the goal of improving trade ties, according to the Anchorage Daily News.

The announcement of the trip comes among fears of an impending trade war between the United States and China. U.S. President Donald Trump said on 22 March he will impose tariffs on USD 60 billion (EUR 48.8 billion) worth of Chinese products, partially to retaliate against Chinese trade barriers and also in response to claims China stole or coerced commercial secrets from U.S. companies.

The governor is expected to discuss energy projects, tourism, and seafood – all topics that were discussed when Walker hosted Chinese President Xi Jinping during his visit to Anchorage in April 2017.

China is the largest international importer of seafood from Alaska, with crab, spot prawns, cod and many other popular Alaska-caught seafood products featuring heavily in Chinese cuisine. In 2017, China bought more than USD 796 million (EUR 646.9 million) of Alaskan seafood, up 27 percent from 2016. 

In addition to seafood, China imported more than USD 355 million (EUR 288.5 million) of metal ore and timber from Alaska last year and is Alaska’s largest export partner.