AFBF Works to Reduce Agricultural Trade Deficit

Wedoany.com Report on Mar 17th, David Salmonsen, Senior Director of Government Affairs at the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), stated that the United States is taking measures to address the agricultural trade deficit. He noted that reaching new trade agreements could help boost demand for American agricultural products. Salmonsen said, "We have already reached new agreements with some Southeast Asian countries, such as Cambodia, Thailand, and Indonesia. Now, we need to ensure these agreements are implemented and properly regulated to actually benefit from these new markets."

Salmonsen told Brownfield that maintaining a competitive edge in the global market is crucial for the future of American agriculture. He said, "Brazil grows similar crops and is making progress in exports by investing in infrastructure. American agriculture needs to provide products at competitive prices and strive to supply higher-quality products to meet global demand."

According to the latest quarterly agricultural trade forecast from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the agricultural trade deficit for 2026 is expected to improve slightly, dropping to $29 billion. In comparison, at the end of the 2025 fiscal year, the agricultural trade deficit had reached a historic high of nearly $50 billion.