The global spotlight is fixed on Irish agriculture this week with high-profile visits from China and the US. We should not underestimate their importance – the public visits by senior politicians are a clear signal that intense trade negotiations are taking place behind the scenes.

There can be little doubt that Irish agriculture is being taken seriously. Our ability to deliver a constant supply of high-quality meat and dairy is the reason for the Chinese interest. Forecasted growth from a sustainable production base makes our dairy sector an attractive proposition to a country like China, which is striving to establish a trusted and secure supply base.

The importance of China for our beef sector should not be underestimated. While beef is not an integral part of the Chinese diet, the country’s appetite for high-quality beef products is growing. In 2013, exports reached close to 300,000 tonnes – up 380% on 2012. It is worth noting that over 80% of imports from Australia, the largest supplier of beef to the region, were classed as high-quality grass-fed – not the low-value offal cuts typically associated with the market.

While we should welcome today’s visit by the United States Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, the reason for his visit is somewhat less clear. We know why he visited Brussels and Luxembourg – to apply political pressure on EU leaders to concede increased access for agricultural produce from the US as part of the TTIP negotiations.

While increased access to the EU beef market is top of the agenda, we should not ignore the growing desire within the US to become the largest dairy exporter in the world – a desire that will be made all the more achievable in an era of lower grain prices and in the provision of a price safety structure for dairy farmers through the US Farm Bill.

So, why Ireland? The fact that Secretary Vilsack also visited France is significant. It is much more than just a coincidence that the US delegation visited the two member states that would stand to lose most from any EU concessions on agriculture.

We expect Minister Coveney to stand firm on trade. There can be no stepping back from the demand for equivalent standards in relation to the full range of measures imposed on EU farmers – from tagging and traceability right through to the use of growth hormones and biotech tools.

We do not expect Irish officials to cast doubt on the US system – merely to highlight to Secretary Vilsack that many technologies which contribute significantly to the competiveness of US agriculture are banned in the EU.

Ireland’s stance on equivalent standards should not be swayed by promises of unrestricted access to the US market for our beef and dairy products. The USDA has a proven track record in controlling what appears to be free market access through the imposition of regulations that effectively act as a barrier to normal trade. Any discussion on developing the US market for Irish agriculture should leave no stone unturned in relation to conditions of trade.

With agricultural exports valued at $140bn per annum, the scale and ability of the US to wipe out domestic production in an export market is very real. Europe should not shy away from the need to ensure policy protects food security across member states. Minister Coveney needs to reinforce this message.

The US has protected its sugar market from as far back as 1789 and continues to do so through loan agreements, market controls and tariff quotas. It is an area in which Secretary Vilsack has been very vocal. As former governor of Iowa, a state in the heart of the corn belt, he has been a strong proponent of the US corn-based ethanol programme and the need to improve energy security by reducing reliance on foreign sources.

The US political establishment cannot position itself as being pro free trade.