WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD-TV) — Two new trade frameworks with Thailand and Vietnam aim to pry open high-growth Southeast Asian markets for U.S. farm goods — and reduce border red tape. Both pacts promise broader tariff relief and faster approvals, positioning rural exporters to move more corn, soy products, meat, poultry, dairy, and ethanol into the region as logistics and paperwork improve.
Thailand plans to eliminate tariffs on about 99 percent of goods, expedite access for FSIS-certified meat and poultry, issue import permits for fuel ethanol, and keep rules for U.S. horticulture and DDGS science- and risk-based.
Vietnam commits “preferential market access” for substantially all U.S. industrial and agricultural exports, plus workstreams on SPS certificates, IP, and conformity assessment. The United States, for now, maintains reciprocal tariffs — 19 percent on Thailand and 20 percent on Vietnam — while carving out select product lanes to zero under aligned-partner lists.
At the farm gate, the Thailand framework signals immediate opportunity for corn, soymeal, DDGS, poultry, pork, and ethanol; Vietnam’s package supports grains, oilseeds, meats, and specialty foods as non-tariff hurdles come down. Both deals also stress labor and environmental standards — a backdrop that can stabilize long-term access.
Farm-Level Takeaway: Expect incremental near-term lift for feed grains, proteins, and ethanol as tariff cuts and smoother approvals translate into real orders.
Tony St. James, RFD-TV Markets Expert
Having a good read on fuel prices is a must during harvest, but one analyst says grain farmers should also be watching the crude oil markets.
October 17, 2025 01:26 PM
·
President Donald Trump says a deal is nearly done on lowering beef prices, but he has not released details.
October 17, 2025 11:31 AM
·
Large carryover stocks continue to put pressure on commodity prices, creating uncertainty for growers looking to market their grain.
October 16, 2025 04:20 PM
·
Peel says Mexico has a much greater capability to expand its beef industry than it did 20 or 30 years ago in terms of its feeding and packing infrastructure.
October 16, 2025 03:59 PM
·
Record crops are increasing grain storage needs, prompting safety experts to remind producers of the risk of grain bin entrapment during harvest.
October 16, 2025 01:26 PM
·
The impacts of the government shutdown have reached commodity growers with crops to move, ag economists monitoring the harvest without key data reporting, and meat producers in need of new export markets.
October 16, 2025 01:03 PM
·
In a statement provided to RFD-TV News, a USDA spokesperson reiterated President Trump and the USDA’s commitment to farmers in difficult economic times.
October 16, 2025 11:57 AM
·
Support policies that keep U.S. biofuels at the table—marine demand could materially lift corn grind, crush margins, and rural jobs.
October 15, 2025 03:47 PM
·
China is not one of our top suppliers of cooking oil, according to USDA ERS data, but does export a lot of used cooking oil to the U.S. for biofuel production.
October 15, 2025 12:13 PM
·
