On April 16, the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) announced the 2026 America First Trade Promotion Program (AFTPP) funding allocations, which are key investments aimed at advancing U.S. agricultural exports.
U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) President and CEO Dan Halstrom issued this statement:
USMEF greatly appreciates the Trump administration’s efforts to expand U.S. agricultural exports through reciprocal trade agreements and other critical negotiations. But resources are also needed to capitalize on these agreements, and investments under the America First Trade Promotion Program will make it possible to further diversify our red meat export destinations and grow U.S. market share across the world.
When global opportunities expand for U.S. red meat, this translates to higher returns for farmers and ranchers and the entire U.S. supply chain. USMEF looks forward to continued collaboration with FAS to ensure successful implementation of the AFTPP, which is an excellent addition to USDA’s lineup of foreign market development programs.
The U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council offered the following response to the announcement:
“The U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council thanks USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins and Undersecretary Luke Lindberg and their team at FAS for the generous allocation. We will use it to grow and defend market share in established and emerging markets around the world for U.S. corn, sorghum, barley and their co-products, including our market development expansion of grain exports in the form of renewable bioethanol. AFTPP will help us drive global exports of our products and expand our reach to overseas destinations that were previously restricted under other market development grants. This will allow the highest amount of flexibility in finding homes for the products our U.S. farmers and producers offer, ultimately contributing to national prosperity that leads to a safer, stronger and more prosperous future for American agriculture.”
U.S. Soy Welcomes $14 Million in New USDA Trade Development Funding to Drive Global Export Demand
“This AFTPP funding is a welcome and especially timely opportunity coming just as new trade agreements are opening doors, and diversifying demand for U.S. Soy in international markets,” said Mike McCranie, USSEC Board Chair and South Dakota farmer. “USSEC is eager to turn that momentum and this new investment into export sales and measurable returns for U.S. soybean farmers.”
“For soybean farmers, demand is everything,” said Scott Metzger, ASA President and Ohio farmer. “This funding helps strengthen long-term market access and ensures U.S. Soy remains competitive in a global marketplace, keeping American farmers at the forefront of growing global demand.”
“The AFTPP funding supports WISHH and U.S. Soy to capitalize on years of market development efforts in developing and emerging markets,” said Morey Hill, WISHH Chair and Iowa farmer. “This funding will allow WISHH to launch new and innovative programs with partners who are eager to try U.S. Soy.”
