WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD NEWS) — The Port of Seattle remains one of the nation’s most important agricultural export hubs, serving as a key gateway for moving U.S. farm products to customers across Asia and around the world.
USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Luke Lindberg joined us on Friday’s Market Day Report after touring Terminal 86 at the Port of Seattle and meeting with producers across Washington state.
In his interview with RFD News, Lindberg said Terminal 86 plays a critical role in U.S. agriculture, handling billions of dollars in exports each year. During his visit, he toured a Panamax vessel preparing to ship roughly 2.5 million bushels of U.S. corn to Asia, and said approximately 90 percent of the port’s agricultural exports are destined for Asian markets.
He also highlighted ongoing investments at the port, including upgraded grain-handling systems and hundreds of millions of dollars in infrastructure improvements that help move both bulk commodities and higher-value, containerized agricultural products more efficiently.
While in Washington, Lindberg met with producers representing a wide range of commodities, including potatoes, apples, pears, cherries, lentils, chickpeas and dry beans. He said those conversations provided valuable insight into both the challenges and opportunities facing agriculture, with labor remaining a key concern and expanded export opportunities generating optimism.
Lindberg emphasized the importance of USDA officials spending time directly with farmers, saying those conversations help shape department priorities and ensure policies reflect conditions on the ground. He noted that several recent USDA initiatives have been driven by feedback from producers.
Trade also remained a major topic of discussion. Lindberg said Canada and Mexico remain critical export markets for U.S. agriculture, but the administration is focused on creating more balanced and reciprocal trade relationships. He said negotiations surrounding the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement remain a priority as officials work to improve market access for American producers.
Looking ahead, Lindberg said reducing the agricultural trade deficit remains a key objective of the administration’s trade agenda. He pointed to continued investments in export promotion programs and efforts to open additional international markets as important steps toward expanding opportunities for U.S. farmers and ranchers.
