News

On March 4, 2025, Canada implemented a 25% tariff on an initial tranche of over $20 billion in imports of goods from the United States, including $5.5 billion worth of agricultural products. The list of products is expected to expand on March 25, 2025, to cover a second tranche of an additional $86 billion worth of imports.

Source: USDA-FAS Global Agricultural Information Network (Report No. CA2025-0015)

On February 1, 2025, the United States announced it would impose 10% tariffs on energy imports from Canada and 25% tariffs on all other imports from Canada, effective February 4, 2025. The United States subsequently delayed the entry into force of the tariffs to March 4, 2025.

In response to these tariffs, Canada is imposing reciprocal tariffs of 25% against C$30 billion in imports of goods from the United States, effective March 4, 2025, at 12:01 am.

The government is also issuing a notice of intent to implement a second round of tariffs, and is seeking views on imposing tariffs on $125 billion in imports of additional goods from the United States. This second round of tariffs will be subject to a 21-day comment period prior to implementation.

The government is seeking views from business, stakeholders, and Canadians regarding the impacts of the application of tariffs to the goods listed in the notice of intent March 25, 2025.

[NOTE: The list includes live animals (horses, cattle, swine, goats, and sheep) and additional animal products (semen and other unspecified products).]

Source: Consultations: Department of Finance Canada

USLGE is receiving just over $2 million in export development funding for USDA’s Market Access Program (MAP) and Foreign Market Development (FMD) Program for 2025. We are grateful to USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) for its continued support and partnership. Receiving about the same amount as in 2024 provides the stability and assurance needed for industry business planning and growth. This funding is provided as part of a unique gold standard public/private partnership between the U.S. government and the U.S. agricultural sector. “MAP and FMD funding are critical to our ability to support the excellence and availability of U.S. livestock genetics in response to growing global demand,” noted Martin Sieber, President and CEO of USLGE.

“The U.S. livestock genetics industry would not be able to achieve the global access and outreach required for a successful and flourishing industry without support from USDA’s FAS,” emphasized Chip McGaughey, Chair, Board of Directors, USLGE, and Director of Sales Development, Keeneland. Sieber added, “The return on USDA’s investment in export programs is more than $25 for every $1 invested, and this provides a direct benefit to U.S. farmers, ranchers, and producers as well as to the U.S. economy.”

A 2022 study conducted by the U.S. Grains Council determined that the MAP and FMD programs benefited farm economy. From 2002 through 2019, “$12.2 billion (3.4%) was added annually to farm cash receipts, $3.1 billion (4.4%) annually to net cash farm income and $1.4 billion (0.06%) annually to farm assets.” The same study also indicated that the Agricultural Trade Promotion (ATP) Program, which was launched in 2019 and the precursor to the Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP), “will generate $11.1 billion in additional agricultural export revenue” from 2019 through 2026.

Support from USDA through the MAP and FMD programs and now the latest iteration of the ATP program as RAPP is critical to the survival of U.S. agriculture. This funding not only allows farmers and ranchers to grow, sell, and export more, it also supports the entire production chain, including processors, packers, shippers, etc. It helps U.S. agriculture achieve a competitive position in the global marketplace, which in turn generates jobs and income back home.

South Africa’s dairy industry is likely to grow in the future due to improving economic factors, despite suffering from many weather and disease related challenges in the past 5 years. This growth may provide opportunities for dairy genetics exporters. In 2025, USDA-FAS/Pretoria forecasts unprocessed liquid milk production to increase by 2% on declining feed costs and forecasts U.S. dairy exports to South Africa (including lactose, whey, and cheese) to increase by 10% on increased consumer spending power. The linked report provides an overview of the South African dairy industry and forecasts production, processing, imports and exports in the 2025 marketing year.

Source: USDA-FAS Global Agricultural Information Network (Report No. SF2025-0005)

USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) is accepting applications for its agribusiness trade mission to Lima, Peru, scheduled for June 9–12, 2025. Current and potential U.S. exporters interested in participating must apply by March 12, 2025.

Peru is the 3rd-largest market for U.S. agricultural exports in South America. Since the 2009 U.S.-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement, bilateral agricultural trade has risen from $1.46 billion to $5 billion in 2023, a 242.5% increase. In 2023, the United States was Peru’s 2nd-largest agricultural supplier with a 13% market share.

During the trade mission, participants will join buyers from Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador for targeted business-to-business meetings to explore and discuss potential business opportunities in each country. USDA-FAS staff and regional experts will also provide in-depth market briefings, lead informative site visits, and host networking events.

For more information or to apply, visit fas.usda.gov/topics/trade-missions/peru-june-2025.

Source: USDA-FAS Newsroom, News Release (Feb. 26, 2025)

USLGE is pleased to announce that it will be receiving an additional $4,750,000 from the USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA-FAS) in the 2nd round (FY2025) of 5 tranches of Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP) funding. Of the total FY2025 RAPP funds allocated to USLGE, $1.25 million are designated specifically for USLGE member National Association of Animal Breeders (NAAB), with $625,000 of that to be spent by NAAB on projects for marketing U.S. livestock genetics in Africa.

“This 2nd round of RAPP funding makes it possible for USLGE and its members to bring the benefits of U.S. livestock genetics to almost every corner of the world while providing an incredible return on investment for its membership,” says Dr. Martin Sieber, President and CEO of USLGE. “We appreciate this strong endorsement by USDA-FAS of USLGE's role as the leader and national trade association for U.S. livestock genetics.”

U.S. genetics can play a crucial role in enhancing livestock herd development and promoting sustainable agricultural practices globally. USLGE’s efforts in RAPP emphasized regions will contribute to improved animal breeding, reduced environmental impact, and increased productivity.

For more information, contact Enrique Crotto, USLGE RAPP consultant, at ecrotto@uslge.org.