By Jamie Martin
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins is set to visit the United Kingdom from May 12 to 14, marking her first international trade mission. This visit follows Trump's administration announcement of a new trade agreement in principle with the UK, revealed on the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe.
The agreement is designed to reduce tariffs, eliminate trade barriers, enhance market access, and bolster cooperation on economic security. It represents a major achievement for American agriculture, offering U.S. stakeholders including farmers, ranchers, and producers a projected $5 billion in new export opportunities.
“President Trump has made a historic deal with the UK that secures increased access for American agricultural products, including unprecedented access for American beef and ethanol. The President’s trade strategy is working. We are working every day to increase American economic exceptionalism and that includes selling the bounty of American agriculture around the world,” stated Secretary Rollins.
During her visit, Secretary Rollins will meet with high-level UK government officials, tour facilities that import American agricultural goods, and engage with U.S. cooperators and UK importers. Her goal is to gather insights on how to better position American agricultural products in one of the world’s most valuable markets.
“I am traveling to the UK next week on my first foreign mission to meet with my counterparts and discuss the commitments of this deal. Our strong cultural and political ties between our countries have led to incredible economic prosperity. It is our goal to achieve even closer relations, and we are thankful for a deal that benefits both countries and gives American farmers, ranchers, foresters, and food processors better access to the UK market and the ability to compete for this business,” Secretary Rollins added.
Advocating for U.S. agriculture remains a top priority for Secretary Rollins. Secretary Rollins efforts focus on expanding access in current markets, opening new international markets, and ensuring fair treatment for American producers.
This proactive strategy follows what the administration describes as a period of trade stagnation during the Biden presidency, where a trade surplus turned into a deficit.
After her UK mission, Secretary Rollins is scheduled to visit Japan, Vietnam, Brazil, Peru, Italy, and India over the next five months. Additional USDA trade missions are planned for Hong Kong, Taiwan, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and Côte d’Ivoire.
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Categories: National