White House Releases US-EU Trade Framework Update with Focus on Agriculture and Market Access
The White House has released an updated version of the U.S.–EU Trade Framework, which includes key commitments to improving agricultural trade. These changes are seen as a step forward for U.S. pork, bison, and beef exporters, as the European Union (EU) agrees to reduce non-tariff trade barriers and modernize outdated requirements.
The updated language in the framework states:
“Recognizing the importance of continued engagement to resolve longstanding concerns, the European Union and the United States commit to work together to address non-tariff barriers affecting trade in food and agricultural products, including streamlining requirements for sanitary certificates for pork and dairy products.”
The announcement received strong support from the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), a key voice in advancing red meat exports.
“USMEF is encouraged to see that the European Union will provide preferential market access for pork and bison meat, has committed to streamlining requirements for U.S. pork sanitary certificates, and intends to address other non-tariff barriers affecting agricultural trade – including its deforestation regulation,” said USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom.
Halstrom also emphasized the imbalance in U.S.–EU meat trade:
“These changes are long overdue, and USMEF greatly appreciates the Trump administration making agricultural market access a top priority in negotiations with the EU and with other key trading partners. The U.S. has been a net importer of red meat from the EU due to the vast barriers the EU imposes on imports, and addressing the EU’s tariff and non-tariff barriers is absolutely essential for U.S. export growth.”
He also highlighted the deforestation regulation as a potential risk to U.S. beef access:
“It is also critical that U.S. beef exports to the EU – which are already heavily restricted – face no further regulatory obstacles related to deforestation. With U.S. agriculture posing negligible risk to global deforestation, USMEF thanks the Trump administration for securing a commitment from the EU to address concerns of U.S. producers and exporters regarding the EU Deforestation Regulation.”
These trade improvements are expected to boost U.S. agricultural exports, particularly in red meat sectors facing stiff EU regulatory hurdles.
Audio Reporting by Dale Sandlin for Southeast AgNet.