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Trump administration says America First trade policy cutting deficit, boosting fairness

The Trump administration says its America First trade policy approach is working.

The 2026 Trade Policy Agenda released by the U.S. Trade Representative’s Office says since the President began implementing his policy in April 2025 the trade deficit in goods decreased year over year, and the deficit to China fell more than 30 percent.

Speaking to attendees of last week’s National Ethanol Conference in Orlando, USDA Foreign Agricultural Service administrator Daniel Whitley said the administration wants to ensure American agriculture has a fair and level playing field to compete on.

“Many of our competitors are using science as an excuse, they’re using the fact that their domestic producers are not competitive as an excuse. There are a number of reasons countries use to try to keep your products out, but the America First Trade Policy Agenda is addressing all of that.”

The America First Trade Policy Agenda for 2026 focuses on several areas:  continuing the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade Program, securing supply chains for critical minerals, conducting the review of the U.S. Mexico Canada Agreement, and managing trade with China for reciprocity and balance.