USDA Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Deputy Under Secretary Bekkering Advances Trump Administration’s America First Agenda during APEC Food Security Ministerial Meeting

U.S. delegation meets with U.S. agribusiness cooperators and asserts U.S. agricultural interests in the Asia-Pacific region

WASHINGTON, August 19, 2025 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Michelle Bekkering led the U.S. delegation to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Food Security Ministerial Meeting (FSMM). APEC is the premier platform for the United States to advance economic policies in the Asia-Pacific region, demonstrate American economic leadership, and shape the policy environment for trade and investment and strong economic growth, benefiting American farmers, ranchers, and businesses.

“I am honored to represent our hardworking American farmers, ranchers, and producers who depend on sound global food and agricultural policies,” said Bekkering. “Our mission is clear: improve nutrition, make agriculture more efficient, and grow the American and world economy. We do that through sound science, strong markets, and fair trade. When farmers and ranchers can produce more, move their goods more efficiently, and compete fairly, everyone benefits – from farm to table to globe. President Donald Trump has consistently voiced his support for farmers and rural communities and their role as the ‘bedrock of our economy.’ We have a responsibility to drive a focused agenda that prioritizes practical solutions to empower agricultural producers.”

The United States exported more than $126 billion in agricultural products to fellow APEC members in 2024, accounting for 72 percent of total U.S. agricultural exports to the world. Eight of the top 10 U.S. agricultural export destinations are APEC members. While at the Ministerial Meeting, Deputy Under Secretary Bekkering held bilateral meetings with her counterparts from some of the United States’ top trading partners, including Japan and the Republic of Korea. Deputy Under Secretary Bekkering also met with U.S. agriculture commodity groups, including the U.S. Grains Council, the U.S. Meat Export Federation, the U.S. Soybean Export Council, and U.S. Wheat Associates to understand their experiences and challenges in the Korean market and the broader region.

Deputy Under Secretary Bekkering met with the Korean Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs to address non-tariff barriers that U.S. agricultural exports currently face in the Korean market.

All 21 APEC economies were represented at the Ministerial and adopted the Joint Statement – which supports broadband access and digital tools, including the application of artificial intelligence, and stressed the need for research and investments to foster agricultural productivity growth.

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