The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is set to embark on a trade mission to the Philippines in April 2024, marking a significant effort to enhance agricultural exports as part of the Trump administration’s broader strategy. The announcement was made in a statement released on December 23, detailing a series of six agribusiness trade missions planned for the upcoming year aimed at diversifying market opportunities for American agricultural goods.
USDA Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs, Luke Lindberg, emphasized the importance of boosting exports for the agricultural sector and the overall American economy. Each year, the USDA’s marketing and trade experts identify emerging global markets that promise lucrative opportunities for American exporters. Lindberg stated that this year’s focus aligns with the Trump administration’s goal to create a level playing field for American farmers and ranchers globally.
The USDA’s trade mission schedule begins with Jakarta, Indonesia in February, followed by Manila in April and Istanbul, Turkey in May. Further missions are planned in August to Australia and New Zealand, followed by Saudi Arabia in September and ending in Vietnam in November.
The upcoming visit to Manila is notably timed as 2026 will mark the 80th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the US and the Philippines. The USDA highlighted a significant development when the Trump administration announced that the Philippines will open its market to the US, instituting zero tariffs, while the Philippines will incur a 19-percent tariff on goods exported to the US. This trade shift follows President Trump’s meeting with Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. at the White House, where negotiations focused on tariff adjustments.
Although Marcos successfully negotiated a reduction in Philippine tariffs from 20 percent to 19 percent, the specifics regarding American exports receiving zero tariffs were limited to certain products such as automobiles, soy, wheat, and pharmaceuticals. The details of a reciprocal trade agreement remain unclear, as the government has yet to announce further developments.
The Jakarta trade mission will focus on trade opportunities stemming from the bilateral trade deal between the US and Indonesia, described by Lindberg as offering a historic prospect for American agribusinesses to expand their market presence. Despite uncertainties regarding the trade relationship with the Philippines, the USDA remains optimistic about the growth of American agricultural exports in the region, driven by rising food demand and a growing population.
According to a December 17 report from the USDA, products with significant growth potential in the Philippines include dairy, poultry, non-beverage ethanol, pork, beef, processed potatoes, confectionery and snack foods, and seafood. As these markets expand, there is a hopeful outlook for American farmers to thrive in foreign markets, reinforcing the importance of global trade relations.