U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins is set to visit the United Kingdom from May 12 to 14, following President Donald J. Trump's announcement of a new trade agreement in principle with the UK. The agreement aims to lower tariffs, remove trade barriers, and increase market access for American agricultural products.
President Trump emphasized the benefits of this deal for American agriculture, stating it provides "significant expansion in U.S. market access in the UK," offering a $5 billion opportunity for new exports. Secretary Rollins expressed support for the agreement, highlighting its potential to enhance economic ties between the two nations and provide better market access for U.S. farmers and producers.
Rollins plans to meet with senior UK officials and visit facilities importing U.S. agricultural products during her trip. She aims to discuss how the Administration can position American agricultural goods effectively in this important market.
The Secretary's efforts are part of a broader strategy to advocate for American agriculture by increasing product access in existing markets and opening new ones. This initiative follows what Rollins describes as four years of inaction under the previous administration, which saw a shift from a trade surplus to a deficit.
Following her UK visit, Rollins will travel to Japan, Vietnam, Brazil, Peru, Italy, and India over the next five months as part of an aggressive agenda to promote American agriculture globally. Additional USDA Trade Missions are planned for Hong Kong, the Dominican Republic, Taiwan, Côte d’Ivoire, and Mexico.
The United Kingdom is currently the fourteenth largest export market for U.S. agriculture but presents challenges due to high tariffs and non-tariff barriers. Other significant markets include India and Brazil, where the U.S. faces substantial trade deficits; Japan and Vietnam as major export destinations; and Peru as a key South American market.
