The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) has launched a Section 301 investigation into Brazil’s trade practices, signaling a potential shift in long-standing agricultural trade tensions. The investigation, initiated under the Trade Act of 1974, will assess whether Brazil’s policies—including preferential tariffs and restricted ethanol market access—are unfair, discriminatory, or harmful to U.S. commerce. Ethanol Access a Key …
Trade Mission Underway in the Dominican Republic
USDA Trade Mission Aims to Strengthen Latin American Partnerships Michelle Bekkering, Deputy Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), led a high-level agribusiness trade mission to the Dominican Republic this week. The goal: expand market access and boost exports of American agricultural products throughout Latin America. The U.S. delegation includes 47 agribusinesses and …
President Trump Announces Trade Deal with Indonesia
New Agreement Delivers Tariff-Free Access for U.S. Exports President Donald Trump announced earlier this week via Truth Social that the United States has finalized a comprehensive trade agreement with the Republic of Indonesia. The newly confirmed deal represents a significant win for the American agriculture and energy sectors, as well as for the broader U.S. export economy. According to the …
Trump Threatens Tariffs on Mexican and European Imports
U.S. Trade Relations at Risk as August 1 Deadline Looms Over the weekend, former President Donald Trump issued a sharp warning to two of the United States’ largest trading partners, threatening to impose a 30% tariff on imported goods from Mexico and the European Union starting August 1, 2025. The announcement has sparked international concern and raised tensions as ongoing …
USMEF Talks Beef Trade at NCBA Summer Business Meeting
The US Meat Export Federation (USMEF) spoke to the attendees at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s Summer Business Meeting in San Diego this past week and USMEF CEO Dan Halstrom provided some thoughts on the meeting. USMEF Vice President of Economic Analysis Erin Borror shared details on key policy issues impacting beef exports Dale Sandlin with Southeast AgNet reporting. Sponsored …
NCBA Reaction to Re-Closure of US Mexico Border Due to New World Screwworm
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) is reacting to the announcement by the US Department of Agriculture again closing the US Mexico Border to shipments of livestock due to the threat of the New World Screwworm. Last week, a New World Screwworm case was reported in Veracruz, Mexico, approximately 370 miles south of the US Mexico border. NCBA CEO Colin …
Mexico Remains Top Market for U.S. Ag Exports in 2024
U.S. Agricultural Exports to Mexico Hit $30.2 Billion in 2024 According to the latest USDA report, Mexico was the number one destination for U.S. agricultural exports in 2024, receiving $30.2 billion worth of goods. Nearly half of that came from consumer-oriented products such as meat, dairy, processed foods, and beverages. Bulk commodities accounted for one-third of total shipments, led by …
USDA Announces Phased Reopening of U.S./Mexico Border for Livestock
The U.S. Secretary of Agriculture announced earlier this week that risk-based port re-opening for cattle, equines and bison crossing the US Mexico border may begin as early as July 7. This phased reopening comes as the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) experts and their counterparts in Mexico worked in collaboration to increase the surveillance, detection and eradication …
Thailand, Vietnam, Brazil Increase US Access to Markets
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced American agricultural producers will have greater market access to Thailand and Vietnam while maintaining access to Brazil. USDA says the Trump Administration continues to break down non-tariff barriers and defend current market access, and these latest actions are some of many wins ahead for American producers. U.S. dairy producers will maintain access to …
House Committee on Agriculture holds hearing with US Secretary of Agriculture
The House Committee on Agriculture held a hearing earlier this week to receive testimony from US Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins. During the hearing Secretary Rollins highlighted the work conducted by the department since coming into office including the reduction in egg prices, efforts to eradicate New World Screwworm, reducing regulations for producers, processing disaster payments and opening new markets …