Callahan highlights 10 new agricultural trade wins; Fedorchak pushes for certainty for North Dakota producers

Grand Forks, ND - Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak (R-ND) today hosted U.S. Chief Agricultural Negotiator Julie Callahan in Grand Forks to highlight the importance of increasing markets for North Dakota agriculture products and give North Dakota producers a direct voice in U.S. trade policy.

"North Dakota farmers and ranchers can compete with anyone in the world when they have fair rules and reliable access to markets," Fedorchak said. "The administration has made significant progress securing new agreements and expanding opportunities for American agriculture. Now, producers need certainty. That means maintaining a strong USMCA, holding our trading partners like China accountable for purchase commitments, addressing unfair foreign sugar policies, and continuing to open markets for the world-class products grown and raised in North Dakota. I appreciate Ambassador Callahan coming to North Dakota to hear directly from the producers who are affected by these policies every day."

During a roundtable discussion with Callahan and North Dakota producers, Fedorchak pushed for greater long-term certainty, including a strong U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), continued efforts to open and diversify export markets, and action against unfair foreign sugar subsidies and trade practices.

Callahan outlined the administration's 10 new Fair Trade Agreements (FTA)and nine additional joint statements and framework agreements negotiated for agriculture the last 18 months. These actions have lowered tariffs, secured new purchase commitments, and reduced barriers facing American agricultural products.

Trade agreements important to North Dakota include: 

• Soybeans: China committed to purchase 12 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans for the 2025 growing season and 25 million metric tons annually from 2026 through 2028. Additionally, new or reduced tariffs in Cambodia and Ecuador, along with soybean and soybean meal purchase commitments from Bangladesh, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Thailand. 
  
• Wheat: New or reduced tariffs in Bangladesh, Ecuador, Indonesia, North Macedonia, and Taiwan, along with purchase commitments from Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Taiwan. 
  
• Corn and ethanol: New market access, lower tariffs, and purchase commitments across several countries, including Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, Guatemala, and the United Kingdom. 
  
• Potatoes: Tariff elimination for U.S. potatoes in Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, North Macedonia, and Taiwan. 
  
• Beef and bison: Expanded market access and lower tariffs in several countries, including new access for U.S. beef in Australia and renewed access to China for more than 400 U.S. beef facilities. 
  
• Pulses: Tariff elimination for U.S. pulses in Bangladesh, Cambodia, Ecuador, Indonesia, and Taiwan.

North Dakota exported $5.4 billion in agricultural products in 2024, making it the nation's ninth-largest agricultural exporting state. During the first five months of 2026, the overall U.S. agricultural trade balance improved by $14 billion, according to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.

In addition to the forum with producers, Fedorchak hosted Callahan on a tour and discussion at Perkins Honey Farm. Honey producers outlined concerns regarding unfairly traded imports, market access, production costs, and other challenges. North Dakota is the nation's leading honey-producing state.