WASHINGTON — During his current trip to Southeast Asia, President Donald Trump, joined by administration officials, on Oct. 26 signed new reciprocal trade framework agreements with Malaysia and Cambodia. Some tariffs will presently remain, but there are noted provisions for American agriculture, including poultry and eggs, in the accords.
“These landmark deals demonstrate that America can maintain tariffs to shrink the goods trade deficit while opening new markets for American farmers, ranchers, workers, and manufacturers,” Jamieson Greer, U.S. trade representative, said in an announcement. “President Trump continues to secure historic trade deals to lower tariffs on U.S. exports and eliminate trade barriers, strengthening America’s economic and national security interests.”
Malaysia
In the joint statement between Malaysia and the United States regarding the new reciprocal trade agreement, it notes that the two nations have reached an agreement to, “strengthen our bilateral economic relationship, which will provide both countries’ exporters unprecedented access to each other’s markets. The agreement will build upon our longstanding economic relationship.”
It adds that Malaysia has committed to give preferential market access to exported U.S. goods, including, “chemicals, machinery and electrical equipment, metals, and passenger vehicles, and for U.S. agricultural exports including dairy, horticultural products, poultry, processed products, beverages, pork, rice and fuel ethanol.”
The U.S. notes that a 19 percent reciprocal tariff that began in April will remain.
“Malaysia has committed to address and prevent non-tariff barriers to U.S. food and agricultural products in the Malaysian market, including by accepting currently agreed certificates issued by U.S. regulatory authorities; streamlining halal and facility registration requirements to facilitate imports of U.S. food and agricultural products; and implementation of regionalization of the United States for animal diseases,” the joint statement adds.
Cambodia
In the joint statement between the Kingdom of Cambodia and the United States, it notes that the agreement, “will build upon our longstanding economic relationship, including the U.S.-Cambodia Trade and Investment Framework Agreement signed in 2006.”
“Cambodia commits to eliminate tariffs on 100 percent of U.S. industrial goods and U.S. food and agricultural products exported to Cambodia and has already implemented this commitment,” the statement adds.
Again, the U.S. notes that a 19 percent reciprocal tariff that began in April will remain.
The agreement also notes a commitment to breaking down some of the non-tariff barriers on American agriculture exports, and to address, “Cambodia’s non-tariff barriers that affect bilateral trade in priority areas, including addressing import licensing; streamlining regulatory requirements and approvals; recognizing U.S. sanitary and phytosanitary measures and other measures for food and agricultural products; and increasing enforcement against notorious markets for counterfeiting and piracy.”
Poultry exports
The USA Poultry & Egg Export Council noted in a statement that, “these landmark deals will significantly expand opportunities for American agricultural exports — especially poultry and eggs — by reducing tariffs and removing longstanding non-tariff barriers.”
The council adds that through streamlining regulatory processes, these new agreements will “open new doors” for U.S. agriculture producers.
“We commend the Trump administration and the great teams at USTR and USDA for expanding market access for U.S. poultry and egg exports,” Greg Tyler, USAPEEC president and CEO, said in the statement. “These agreements mark an important step forward for U.S. agriculture, and particularly for our poultry and egg industry. By removing tariff and non-tariff barriers, Cambodia and Malaysia are signaling their confidence in the safety and quality of U.S. products. This expanded access will allow us to better serve growing consumer demand in Southeast Asia while supporting American farmers, processors, and exporters at home.”
The council also adds that it has long been an advocate for science-based, and fair, trade policies.
“USAPEEC thanks USTR and USDA for their leadership in securing these agreements,” Tyler added. “We look forward to working closely with our partners in Cambodia and Malaysia to strengthen these new trade relationships and ensure their long-term success.”
Julie Anna Potts, Meat Institute president and CEO, adds that these agreements to growing trade markets in Southeast Asia are a “big win.”
“We applaud the elimination of onerous establishment and product registration requirements and the reinforcement of sound, internationally recognized science in determining market access,” Potts said in a statement. “We are pleased that Cambodia and Malaysia agreed to our protections for common meat product names and as negotiations proceed with Thailand and Vietnam, we will continue to work with the administration to ensure the final agreements include these provisions.”
