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 …
US Mexico Border Re-Closed Due to Spread of the New World Screwworm
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins has paused the phased reopening of ports along the US Mexico Border due to further northward spread of the New World Screwworm in Mexico. Earlier this week, Mexico’s National Service of Agro-Alimentary Health, Safety and Quality reported a new case of New World Screwworm in Veracruz, approximately 160 miles northward of the current sterile …
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 …
U.S. Ag Economy Outlook: Stable but Challenging for Farmers
USA Peanut Congress 2025: Ag Economy Stable, But Challenges Remain At the recent USA Peanut Congress, agricultural economist Jeffrey Dorfman of North Carolina State University provided an in-depth look at the U.S. economic and agricultural outlook for the coming year. Dorfman highlighted that supply chains are mostly back to normal, giving the broader economy a solid footing. However, housing remains …
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 …