U.S. agriculture has posted an annual trade surplus for well over 50 years. Agricultural exports support more than one million American jobs, with roughly 70 percent of these jobs in the non-farm sector, such as in processing and agricultural manufacturing. Overall, U.S. farmers and ranchers export more than 20 percent of what they produce. In 2018, agricultural domestic exports reached nearly $145 billion, an increase of 1.4 percent over 2017. The Trump Administration will continue working to open new markets for safe, wholesome U.S. food and agricultural products to be enjoyed by consumers around the world.
U.S. Soybeans for Biofuels Use in the European Union
- Working jointly with the U.S. Soybean Export Council, the Trump Administration utilized the U.S.-EU Executive Working Group to achieve recognition that oil produced from U.S. soybeans is eligible for EU biofuel incentives. U.S. soybean growers will benefit from the January 29, 2019, decision by the European Commission to recognize the industry’s Soybean Sustainability Assurance Protocol.
Opening Morocco’s Market to U.S. Poultry and Beef
- In 2018, the United States and Morocco concluded negotiations for export certificates for U.S. poultry and beef to Morocco, which opened Morocco’s market to these products. In August 2018, Morocco opened its market to U.S. poultry. On November 28, 2018, Morocco opened its market to beef from the United States. Both products enter Morocco through U.S.-Morocco Free Trade Agreement (FTA) tariff rate quotas. Estimates are that Morocco will initially be an $80 million market for U.S. beef and a $10 million market for U.S. poultry.
Ending Argentina’s Ban on American Pork and Beef
- Following meetings by President Trump and Vice President Pence, Argentina opened its market to U.S. pork in 2018 for the first time since 1992. This agreement represents a potential $10-million-per-year market for America’s pork producers. In November 2018, the United States succeeded in resolving long-standing barriers to the export of U.S. beef to Argentina, after over a decade of being shut out of Argentina’s market. Exports are expected to reach between $1 and $2 million annually.
U.S. Exports of Turkey to Malaysia Approved to Resume After a One-year Absence
- In September 2018, after engagement by the Administration, Malaysia’s Department of Veterinary Services approved a U.S. plant to export halal-certified frozen turkey to Malaysia, following a successful audit in August. This plant was the first U.S. turkey facility that was able to meet Malaysia’s new halal requirements for animal slaughter after Malaysia suspended imports of U.S. turkey in 2017. In 2016 (the last full year of approval for a U.S. plant), the United States exported almost $1 million of turkey to Malaysia.
Averting Severe Disruption to Export of U.S. Corn to Colombia
- USTR and USDA worked with Colombia to amend an error in the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement tariff rate quota for corn, to ensure that the nearly $1 billion in annual U.S. corn exports to Colombia will continue without interruption and without being subject to retrospective duties.
Ending Japan’s Ban on U.S. Lamb
- In July 2018, the Trump Administration reopened the Japanese market to U.S. exports of meat and meat products from sheep (including lamb) and goat after the market had been closed for 14 years. The market is estimated to be worth between $500,000 and $1 million for U.S. producers.
Namibia Opens Market for U.S. Poultry Meat and Poultry Products
- In May 2018, Namibia opened its poultry market to U.S. processed and unprocessed poultry products. The Namibian government also accepted regionalization in the United States in the event of HPAI (highly pathogenic avian influenza) outbreaks.
Re-opening of Australian Market for U.S. Heat-Treated Beef
- After a 14-year ban, the United States gained access to Australia for U.S. exports of heat-treated beef products in May 2018.
Paraguay Opens for U.S. Pork
- Following an agreement reached in 2017 between USDA and Paraguay’s agriculture ministry, the final steps were taken on March 2, 2018 to provide access for U.S. pork and pork products into Paraguay. U.S. pork and pork product exports are over $400,000 a year.
Improved Rice Access to Nicaragua
- Following successful engagement by USTR and USDA officials, Nicaraguan officials improved enforcement of CAFTA-DR rice tariff rate quotas. Rice imports from the United States were up 60 percent by volume (95 percent by value) in 2018 from 2017.
Easing of Restrictions to U.S. Turkey Exports to South Africa
- In January 2018, the United States and South Africa reached agreement to allow the importation of U.S. turkey meat produced from turkeys grown from certain Canadian poults. South Africa imports of turkey meat cuts have increased 25 percent in 2018 compared to 2017.
Actively Pursuing U.S. Interests in the WTO
- In addition to enforcement actions taken by the United States in support of American agriculture (see 2018 Fact Sheet: National Trade Estimate Report – Major Developments), the United States submitted counter notifications under the Word Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Agriculture on India’s market price support for rice and wheat in May 2018; for cotton in November 2018; and for five types of pulses in February 2019. Each of these counter notifications—the first of their kind submitted under the Agreement on Agriculture— notified that India is vastly exceeding its WTO-allowable levels of domestic support.
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