First in a blog series examining the potential consequences of the newly proposed U.S. tariffs for global agrifood trade.
Citing the persistent U.S. trade deficit and what he considers unfair practices by other countries, President Donald Trump declared April 2 “Liberation Day” and announced a sweeping new set of supplemental tariffs on imports from nearly all major U.S. trading partners. This announcement follows a series of previous actions taken since the beginning of the administration, including 20% tariffs on Chinese imports, 25% tariffs on automobiles and auto parts, and duties on steel and aluminum.
While the broader political and economic implications of these measures have dominated initial headlines, their impact on global agricultural trade could be equally disruptive. Agriculture sits at the intersection of global value chains, international development, and national food security. It is also a sector that has historically been highly sensitive to trade policies, retaliatory tariffs, and sudden shifts in market access. As with the wave of tariffs introduced during the first Trump administration, this new regime could reshape trade flows, drive price volatility, and introduce long-term uncertainty into the global food system.