Framework targets tariff and non-tariff barriers to boost farm exports
The White House announced a new United States–European Union framework to promote reciprocal, fair, and balanced trade. It aims to reduce trade imbalances, improve market access, and strengthen the trans-Atlantic investment relationship. Importantly, U.S. pork is specifically included in the agenda to tackle tariff and non-tariff barriers.
Industry groups welcomed the update. “America’s pork producers are encouraged by the specific inclusion of pork in the U.S.-EU framework to address tariff and non-tariff barriers to trade. We look forward to continued collaboration to address longstanding market access issues,” said National Pork Producers Council President Duane Stateler, a pork producer from McComb.
U.S. Meat Export Federation President and CEO Dan Halstrom noted that the EU intends to provide preferential access for pork and bison, streamline sanitary certificates for U.S. pork, and address other non-tariff issues, including the EU Deforestation Regulation. He also stressed that U.S. beef exports to the EU, already limited, should face no new regulatory obstacles and that U.S. agriculture poses negligible deforestation risk.
The push for better access reflects a wide gap in trade flows. In 2024, the United States exported about $7 million in pork to the EU while importing more than $709 million from EU suppliers. Remarkably, the United States sells more pork to Honduras than to all 27 EU member states combined.
What could change under the framework? First, clearer, faster paperwork for pork shipments through streamlined sanitary certificates.
Second, preferential market access that can make U.S. pork and bison more competitive.
Third, joint work to reduce non-tariff barriers, from technical rules to sustainability requirements, so trade rules are science-based and predictable. Finally, dialogue on deforestation rules seeks to protect forests while avoiding duplicate or burdensome checks on low-risk U.S. producers.
Next steps will involve detailed negotiations and rule updates. U.S. farm groups plan to stay engaged with the administration and European partners to turn goals into practical gains for exporters while maintaining high safety and environmental standards. Overall, the framework signals a pragmatic path to fairer two-way trade, stronger rural economies, and a more resilient U.S.-EU food supply chain.
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