Italy Visit Aims to Reduce Barriers and Grow Agricultural Market Access
Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins is travelling to Italy on June 2–3 to advocate for American farmers and push for fairer agricultural trade terms with the European Union.
This mission marks another step in her global efforts to reduce trade barriers and increase market access for U.S. agriculture.
Rollins will meet key Italian and UN leaders in Rome, including Minister Francesco Lollobrigida and officials from the FAO and World Food Programme. Her focus will be on improving efficiency in these organizations while aligning their agendas with U.S. agricultural interests.
“The United States’ relationships with Italian buyers and consumers foster tens of billions in bilateral trade and investment. However, U.S. agricultural stakeholders have been unfairly left behind for far too long by the European Union and Italy’s high tariffs on U.S. agricultural products and numerous non-tariff barriers,” said Secretary Brooke Rollins.
This visit follows her May trade mission to the United Kingdom and leads into upcoming trips to India, Vietnam, Japan, Peru, and Brazil.
These countries present both opportunities and challenges. For example, the U.S. faces trade deficits with India and Brazil, lacks agreements with Vietnam, and contends with quotas and tariffs in the U.K.
Through USDA’s trade missions this year, including to Mexico and Taiwan, Secretary Rollins aims to level the playing field for American producers and ensure fair treatment in international markets.
By championing U.S. agriculture abroad, Rollins continues to restore global partnerships and create new opportunities for growth and sustainability in the farming sector.