USMEF Statement on U.S.-EU Trade Framework

On July 28, the White House released this fact sheet offering highlights of the trade deal reached with the European Union. 

U.S. Meat Export Federation President and CEO Dan Halstrom issued the following statement: 

USMEF thanks the Trump administration for prioritizing agricultural market access in negotiations with the EU and with other key trading partners. We are pleased to see that the U.S. and EU intend to work together to address non-tariff barriers inhibiting agricultural trade. The U.S. is a net importer of red meat from the EU due to the vast barriers the EU imposes on imports. EU imports of U.S. red meat totaled just $245 million in 2024, mostly beef, while the U.S. imported $698 million worth of red meat (mostly pork) from the EU. Addressing the EU’s tariff and non-tariff barriers is essential to enabling U.S. export growth. 

Importantly, this agreement averts the retaliatory duties the EU was planning to impose next week, which brings a sigh of relief for the EU beef trade. The EU’s onerous requirements mean that production for the EU starts at the birth ranch, so it is a longtime commitment, dedicated production for the EU, and one of the most expensive programs for U.S. producers and processers. A sudden 30% tariff – which had been set to begin Aug. 7 – would have been devastating to the U.S. industry and to European importers and customers. U.S. pork was targeted too, but U.S. pork exports to the EU are minimal due to the tariff and non-tariff barriers.

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