WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump announced a new universal minimum tariff of 10% on all goods imported to the United States, including food and agricultural products.

The 10% minimum tariff will go into effect on April 5 while all others will go into effect on April 9, White House officials said.

The president held up a posterboard listing new individual tariff rates for at least 50 countries, from a 10% levy on imports from the United Kingdom up to 49% on imports from Cambodia.

Goods that comply with the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) are expected to be exempt from the new round of tariffs. However, non-compliant goods will be subject to a 25% tariff with exceptions for energy and potash from Canada.

Other notable trade partners receiving tariffs include the European Union (20%), Japan (24%), India (26%) and Taiwan (32%).

Multiple media reports confirmed that China would face a tariff rate of 54% which is an increase of 34% from the previous 20% Trump put on the country earlier in 2025.

Following the announcement, meat industry associations responded to the latest economic moves by the Trump administration.

“The Executive Order definitely provides more clarity on the administration’s approach to reciprocal tariffs, and we appreciate the White House bringing attention to the markets in which US exports face significant trade barriers,” said Dan Halstrom, president and chief executive officer of USMEF. “USMEF also appreciates that the US is maintaining zero duties on USMCA-compliant products.”

The trade association noted its main concern continues to be how trade partners will react.

“We are hopeful that they will focus on eliminating barriers to trade rather than imposing restrictive countermeasures,” Halstrom added.

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) provided its stance on the reciprocal tariff announcement after Ethan Lane, its senior vice president of government affairs, attended the event at the White House.

“For too long, America’s family farmers and ranchers have been mistreated by certain trading partners around the world,” Lane said. “President Trump is taking action to address numerous trade barriers that prevent consumers overseas from enjoying high-quality, wholesome American beef. NCBA will continue engaging with the White House to ensure fair treatment for America’s cattle producers around the world and optimize opportunities for exports abroad.”

The Meat Institute confirmed it would work with the Trump administration on ways to increase market access for meat and poultry products.

“Over the coming days, we will work with our members to understand the impact to the industry as tariffs and retaliatory tariffs take effect," said Julie Anna Potts, president and CEO of the Meat Institute.  

The National Pork Producers Council explained the importance of export markets for its business sector.

"Maintaining and expanding export markets is crucial to the success of the US pork industry, which in 2024 exported more than $8.6 billion worth of pork to more than 100 countries," NPPC said. "Mexico and Canada, as well as Asian and Western Hemisphere nations, are key trading partners for U.S. pork producers with long-standing relationships fostered by trade agreements."

Zippy Duvall, president of the American Farm Bureau Federation, provided comments after reciprocal tariffs were provided.

“Trade is critical to the success of farmers and ranchers across the country," Duvall said. "We share the administration’s goal of leveling the playing field with our international partners, but increased tariffs threaten the economic sustainability of farmers who have lost money on most major crops for the past three years. More than 20% of farm income comes from exports, and farmers rely on imports for crucial supplies like fertilizer and specialized tools. Tariffs will drive up the cost of critical supplies, and retaliatory tariffs will make American-grown products more expensive globally. The combination not only threatens farmers’ competitiveness in the short-term, but it may cause long-term damage by leading to losses in market share."

MEAT+POULTRY will update this story with more industry responses throughout the day.