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By Kent Swisher, NARA President and CEO
From the Association
Tariff Tensions and Trade Promotion:
AI Tumultuous Summer for Global Markets
n early July, President Donald Trump reignited trade tensions China have dropped by 31% this year, and U.S. market share in by issuing 22 letters outlining new tariff measures aimed China has declined to 62% YTD in 2025 compared to 76% for the at reducing the U.S. trade deficit and pushing back against same time period in 2024. This shift underscores the volatility of nontariff barriers imposed by America’s trading partners. global trade dynamics and the critical importance of maintaining
Shared publicly via Truth Social, these announcements mark a significant shift in the U.S. approach to global trade, particularly affecting many South Asian nations.
The letters follow Trump’s earlier reciprocal tariff policy announcement April 2, with the updated rates varying based on trading partners’ level of engagement over the past three months. Originally scheduled to take effect July 9, the administration has now extended the implementation deadline to Aug. 1, following a new executive order.
According to a White House statement, companies seeking to avoid these tariffs must establish manufacturing operations in the U.S. This “America First” economic stance is framed as a means to boost domestic job creation, particularly in the manufacturing sector.
While this tariff rhetoric has generated uncertainty, U.S. exports of rendered animal protein meals have remained relatively resilient. Year-to-date (YTD), exports are down just 5% overall. Notably, Vietnam has emerged as the top importer of U.S. rendered protein meals, with exports to the country up 6% compared to the same period last year. Indonesia is now the second-largest market, with a strong 14% increase in YTD exports.
However, the picture is less positive in China. U.S. exports to www.rendermagazine.com
diversified export markets.
There are also positive developments on the trade promotion
front. At the 2025 U.S. Agricultural Export Development Council Global Attaché Policy Forum and Consultations, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins highlighted the administration’s renewed commitment to export promotion.
The recently passed “big, beautiful bill” includes the creation of a Supplemental Agricultural Trade Promotion Program, allocating an additional $285 million annually starting in the 2027 fiscal year. This funding supplements the longstanding Market Access Program and Foreign Market Development program, which together receive about $235 million annually.
As the rendering industry looks ahead, these developments are a reminder of both the challenges and opportunities inherent in today’s global trade environment. While rising protectionism and retaliatory threats introduce risk, enhanced trade promotion efforts offer a vital counterbalance — especially for sectors like rendering that rely on access to diverse international markets.
The North American Renderers Association remains committed to advocating for policies that expand market access, reduce trade barriers and ensure a fair and predictable global trading system for all American agricultural products, including rendered goods. R
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