Cattlemen's Column: A Year of International Trade Deals

New trade agreements with several countries open up more opportunities for U.S. beef exports.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 11:29pm

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A high-end, photorealistic studio still-life photograph featuring a stack of premium beef cuts arranged elegantly on a clean, monochromatic background, conceptually representing the global trade of American beef.Premium U.S. beef cuts take center stage as new international trade deals open up more global markets for American ranchers.Fort Worth Today

The Trump administration has been active on the international trade front, negotiating new trade deals with several countries that will provide more access for U.S. beef exports. These include agreements with the UK, Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, North Macedonia, and Taiwan. While some of these deals have faced opposition, the overall impact is expected to benefit the U.S. cattle industry by increasing demand for high-quality American beef.

Why it matters

Expanding international trade for U.S. beef is crucial for the cattle industry, as it opens up new markets and allows American ranchers to capture more market share globally. However, safety and health concerns around importing beef from countries with foot-and-mouth disease must also be carefully considered.

The details

The new trade deals negotiated by the Trump administration will reduce tariffs and eliminate trade barriers for U.S. beef exports to several key markets, including the UK, Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, North Macedonia, and Taiwan. This is expected to boost demand for high-quality American beef cuts in these countries. However, the administration also announced plans to increase beef imports from Argentina, which raises concerns about the risk of foot-and-mouth disease being introduced to the U.S. cattle herd.

  • In early 2025, President Trump announced reciprocal tariffs on several countries.
  • In 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose broad tariffs was unconstitutional.
  • The U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) will be up for a joint review starting in July 2026, when the three countries will decide whether to extend the agreement for another 16 years.

The players

Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association

A trade association that represents cattle producers and supports efforts to expand international trade opportunities for U.S. beef, while also voicing concerns about the risks of importing beef from countries with foot-and-mouth disease.

President Donald Trump

The former U.S. president who initiated a flurry of international trade negotiations, including new agreements that will benefit the U.S. beef industry.

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What they’re saying

“While considerable attention given to international partnerships brings both positive and negative sentiments, cattle producers benefit from trade overall. Successful negotiation of these trade deals and expanded market access are essential for a prosperous future for years to come.”

— Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association

What’s next

The U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) will be up for a joint review starting in July 2026, when the three countries will decide whether to extend the agreement for another 16 years.

The takeaway

The new international trade deals negotiated by the Trump administration have opened up more opportunities for U.S. beef exports, but the cattle industry must also carefully balance the benefits of expanded trade with the potential risks of importing beef from countries with foot-and-mouth disease.