Farm Groups Praise Trump’s New Southeast Asia Trade Deals

Over the weekend, President Donald Trump announced trade pacts with Malaysia and Cambodia during a trip to southeast Asia. He also provided new details on potential Thailand and Vietnam deals.

“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,” Ambassador Jamieson Greer of the U.S. Trade Representative Office said in a statement. “I thank my counterparts from Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam for their collaboration and commitment in achieving a more balanced trade relationship with the U.S.”

As the business week began, agriculture groups reacted to the trade news.

American Soybean Association

The American Soybean Association (ASA) represents U.S. soybean farmers on domestic and international policy issues. ASA has 26 affiliate state associations representing 30 soybean-producing states and nearly 500,000 soybean farmers.

In a press statement ASA highlighted provisions favorable to U.S. soybean exports in the deals:

• The elimination or reduction of tariff barriers for U.S. agricultural products into all four countries
• A commitment from Thailand to purchase U.S. soybean meal, among other U.S. feed commodities, on a per annum basis totaling $2.6 billion
• The elimination or reduction of major non-tariff barriers in each country, including favorable language on biotechnology regulations and sanitary and phytosanitary provisions

“We appreciate President Trump’s recognition of the promise markets in Southeast Asia hold for U.S. soybean exports, and we applaud the work of the administration to increase market access in that region,” Caleb Ragland, ASA president and Kentucky soybean farmer said. “We look forward to future deals like these that reduce tariffs and ensure continued and increased market access for U.S. agriculture and urge all parties to swiftly bring these frameworks and agreements to fruition.”

Growth Energy

As the nation’s largest biofuel trade association, Growth Energy is the leading voice of America’s biofuel industry. Members of the association operate and support biomanufacturing facilities at the heart of America’s bioeconomy, delivering a new generation of plant-based energy and climate solutions.

“American farmers and rural communities want and need new markets — like the ones that will be created and enhanced by these new trade agreements,” Emily Skor, CEO of Growth Energy said in a press statement. “Global demand for ethanol is growing and the Trump administration continues to find ways to create new opportunities for this industry while positioning American producers to make the most of them. These new deals will be welcome news across the heartland, and we commend USTR for its commitment to building American energy dominance through the strength of our trade relationships.” 

National Corn Growers Association

Founded in 1957, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) represents more than 36,000 dues-paying corn growers in 48 states, and the interests of more than 300,000 farmers who contribute through corn checkoff programs in their state.

A press statement from NCGA highlighted the deals include “new market access for ethanol as well as additional opportunities for corn and corn products, like distiller dried grain solubles.”

“This is all very good news for the nation’s corn growers,” said Jed Bower, NCGA president. “Eliminating tariffs on ethanol exports to Malaysia and Cambodia will boost demand. We are encouraged to see that the framework for Thailand included agriculture purchases of corn and DDGS. The announced framework for Vietnam is also promising, as this is already a robust market for DDGS and corn growers are well positioned to supply corn and ethanol as well.”

Looking ahead, Bower said, “We look forward to reviewing more details on the frameworks for Thailand and Vietnam. Corn growers have been calling for deals that will open new markets, and we applaud the Trump administration for listening and acting on our request.”

National Pork Producers Council

National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) is the global voice for the U.S. pork industry, protecting the livelihoods of America’s 60,000+ pork producers who abide by ethical principles in caring for their animals, in protecting the environment and public health and in providing safe, wholesome, nutritious pork products to consumers worldwide.

A press statement from NPPC said the deal with Malaysia has “enormous economic potential” for U.S. pork producers.

“America’s pork producers are grateful to President Trump for increasing market access for U.S. pork to Malaysia, a country that has been importing pork despite limited plants being eligible for export,” said NPPC President Duane Stateler, a pork producer from McComb, Ohio. “More than 25% of U.S. pork production is exported, so producers count on exports to help keep their farms afloat, especially in times of uncertainty.”

NPPC’s statement explained, “The deal with Malaysia will open access to all U.S. facilities included in the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) Meat, Poultry and Egg Product Inspection Directory; will not impose additional product or facility registration requirements; and will ensure acceptance of the standard FSIS export certificate. In a separate deal, Cambodia agreed to the same terms. Moreover, Malaysia has agreed to recognize the U.S. protection zone for African Swine Fever within 15 months of signing the deal and complete a regionalization deal.”

As background, NPPC explained, “U.S. pork exports to Malaysia hit record levels of over $24.5 million in 2024, a significant amount given that only eight U.S. plants are currently eligible for export. Exports to Malaysia have increased over 1,700% in the last five years.”

Looking ahead, “American pork producers need certainty and stability — now as much as ever — and NPPC will continue to engage with the administration and international partners to maintain and open new market access for U.S. pork,” NPPC said.

Editor’s note: Some of the previous statements have been edited and/or condensed by Successful Farming for style and clarity.