Well.

After years of tariffs, trade disputes and economic uncertainty, the U.S.

and China have reached a new trade agreement that could affect everything from Kentucky farms and factories to prices consumers pay at the store.

The two countries are cutting tariffs on $60 billion worth of goods.

We spoke with an associate professor from the University of Kentucky's Gatton School of Diplomacy about what this latest agreement means for Kentucky industries, what consumers can expect moving forward and why the Commonwealth has, whether these trade disputes with China better than other states.

China is a substantial trading partner for the U.S.

and for Kentucky in particular.

Certainly the trade war, both with China and with others.

This, has hit pocketbooks both in Kentucky and around the country in the form of, increased tariffs, taxes paid by, Kentucky consumers.

And so that has, that has been part of the effect here in Kentucky.

So last week at the meeting between President Trump and President XI, they each picked about $30 billion worth of everyday goods, to tax less, to impose fewer tariffs for the U.S.

that for our exports of mostly farm products, coal and, hardwood for U.S.

imports.

We're going to reduce tariffs on toys and small appliances.

So we represent, a thaw rather than an end to the trade war, but it certainly is a claw back from the peak.

These $30 billion represents about a quarter of the goods that we import from China, and about the same on their side.

So Kentucky exports aside from ag products, exports about $4 billion worth of goods to Chinese markets.

Certainly hardwoods are going to be the industry that will gain most by China, shut out U.S.

hardwoods in the last year.

And so this is going to bring that back.

Coal most of Kentucky's coal, of course, goes to power plants.

Here in Kentucky and around the southeast.

But there could be some benefits there if it's more the steelmaking type of coal that is used.

Soybeans have been, cut out from this deal, although China is meeting its soybean purchases under other agreements.

And for consumers, this could mean going into the Christmas season that will have slightly cheaper toys.

Coffeemakers small appliances.

There's a result of the trade war.

Our, trade with China fell by about a quarter, but Kentucky's trade with China actually increased during this period, in part due to aerospace and other products.

So, it's going to have some gains for Kentucky farmers.

But the story over the last year hasn't been as difficult for Kentucky as it has been for the country at large.

I think it's a it's broadly a win.

It's going to be a win for consumers and also de-escalate tensions in this trade war between U.S.

and China.

It's going to be a win for Kentucky hardwood producers.

It is a win for Kentucky farmers.

As China meets its quotas under early recruitments.

It's a win for some of our manufacturers.

Aerospace is a big part of what we export to China.

So both in terms of de-escalation, some price breaks for our products coming into the U.S.

and stronger markets for U.S.

exports in China.

Will it be implemented perfectly on either side?

Probably not.

But I think it indicates an ongoing willingness to compromise.

And that's going to help Kentucky industries as well as Kentucky consumers.

The U.S.

and China agreed to limit any further tariff increases through January.