Taiwan Agreement Strengthens Market for U.S. Beef

The U.S. Meat Export Federation and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association are praising a new Agreement on Reciprocal Trade between the United States and Taiwan, announced by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. The agreement expands market access for U.S. beef, pork, bison, and lamb, while reducing tariff and non-tariff barriers. Taiwan is the fifth-largest market for U.S. beef, with exports valued at about $650 million, and the U.S. remains the island’s largest beef supplier. USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom said the agreement “is expected to improve competitiveness for U.S. beef and help restore market share for U.S. pork, which has faced strong competition from the European Union and Canada.” NCBA President Gene Copenhaver highlighted the benefits for cattle producers, noting that “science-based trade agreements help add value for U.S. cattle producers and improve long-term competitiveness in export markets. Beef exports account for more than $415 per fed cattle processed in 2024, highlighting the importance of foreign market access to producer profitability.” The agreement is viewed as a major win for the U.S. red meat industry, providing long-term certainty for producers and strengthening one of the fastest-growing international markets.