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
Dalton Henry, with U.S. Wheat Associates, joined RFD-TV to provide insight on what the pending trade frameworks may mean for American wheat growers.
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