USDA announced it is now accepting applications for the 2025 America First Trade Promotion Program (AFTPP). U.S. Meat Export Federation President and CEO Dan Halstrom said the program, first announced by USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins in late September, was authorized by Congress in the budget reconciliation bill passed earlier this year.
The program provides $285 million to promote agricultural trade. Halstrom said it is designed to enhance existing trade assistance such as the USDA Market Access Program and Foreign Market Development Program and allows not only for market expansion, but also for defense of key markets like Mexico.
Implementation of the AFTPP was briefly delayed by the government shutdown. Halstrom congratulated USDA staff for very quickly getting the program up and running following passage of a funding bill.
For more information, visit usmef.org.
