USDA made headlines this week with a major announcement from Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins: the United States has secured new trade wins to boost agricultural exports to Brazil, Thailand, and Vietnam. According to the USDA, Brazil has lifted its suspension on Agropur, a U.S. dairy company, which allows the resumption of whey protein concentrate exports—an $83 million market last year. In Thailand, the reopening of the market for apples from eastern U.S. states is expected to bring in an additional $5 million annually for American growers. These developments follow targeted action by Foreign Agricultural Service and underline the department’s renewed focus on expanding export markets, after concerns about previous years’ trade deficits.

For businesses and farmers, this means immediate on-the-ground impacts. Whey producers regain vital international customers, and apple growers from Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia now have new sales pipelines. As Secretary Rollins put it, America is “cutting unnecessary red tape, empowering businesses to operate more efficiently, and strengthening American agriculture—all while upholding the highest food safety standards.”

In domestic policy, the USDA announced it will eliminate over 145 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion-focused awards, redirecting nearly $149 million, as the department pivots to what Rollins calls “putting the business of agriculture first.” This move is raising questions among advocacy groups about the potential impact on underserved communities, while the department emphasizes a renewed focus on core farming priorities and risk management tools.

Another headline policy change is the rescinding of the Roadless Rule, which effectively opens almost 59 million acres of forest land—previously off-limits—to road construction, timber harvest, and more flexible land management. Proponents say this will create economic opportunities and jobs in rural areas, but critics warn of environmental risks and lasting ecosystem impacts.

On the regulatory front, the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service is fast-tracking rules to allow higher processing line speeds for pork and poultry facilities, aiming to meet supply demands and reduce industry costs. The department also dropped requirements for redundant worker safety reporting, citing research that found no link between higher line speeds and injuries. This is expected to make U.S. food production more competitive, though worker safety groups are watching closely.

The USDA’s recently announced 2025 budget, totaling $213.3 billion, includes robust support for climate smart agriculture and conservation, but some pending proposals could trim or reorient these efforts. Policy analysts are monitoring the ongoing debate over whether nutrition and agricultural programs should remain together or be split, as suggested by Project 2025 from the Heritage Foundation. Changes here could reshape the safety net for millions of Americans, from SNAP benefits to farm support programs.

Looking ahead, USDA is conducting trade missions to Japan, Vietnam, India, Peru, and Brazil this year, opening more doors for U.S. agriculture. Farmers and businesses are encouraged to access new online tools for loans and risk management through their local USDA service centers or farmers.gov. Interested citizens can follow upcoming rulemakings on food safety or forest management and provide public comment where invited.

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