Navigating the Trump Tariff Turbulence: A Comprehensive Timeline

As April 2 approaches, the ongoing tariff saga continues to unfold, bringing new developments each day. Expana is tracking the latest headlines and breaking down the key updates as they happen, as evidenced in the latest newsletter.

This week, US President Trump announced a new “secondary tariff” directed at Venezuela and any country buying their oil, citing Venezuelan criminal activity in the US. 

On March 26, Trump announced a separate 25% tariff on all imported cars and light trucks, effective April 3, reported Expana. The measure applies to American brands assembling cars...

What Trump Tariffs Mean for Food and Agriculture Trade

US President Donald Trump announced a 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico and an additional 10% tariff on imports from China.

Tariffs for Canada and China are in effect as of February 4, while the tariffs on Mexico have been delayed for one month following negotiations with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who agreed to send 10,000 members of her country’s national guard to the border to address drug trafficking... 

ANALYSIS: Uruguay’s Fresh Beef Exports Saw a 10.5% Monthly Increase in February

Uruguay’s fresh beef exports rose 10.5% in February to 34,815 mt, according to the latest report released by the National Customs Directorate. Compared to the same period last year, this figure represents 9.9% growth.

China remained the top destination with 12,306 MT, representing a 3.3% decline from January and a sharp 20.1% Y-o-Y drop. This decline resulted in a contraction in China's share of Uruguay’s total fresh beef exports from 48.6% in February 2024 to 35.3% in February 2025, reflecting a weaker demand...

‘The Tariffs Are All Set’: Trump Imposes 25% Tariffs on Canada and Mexico

It’s official. The US will implement a broad 25% tariff on Canada and Mexico on March 4. Trump also noted that he would add another 10% tariff on Chinese goods, on top of the initial 10% tariff he placed on the country in February.

“No room left for Mexico or Canada (to make a deal),” Trump told reporters at the White House. “The tariffs are all set. They go into effect tomorrow.

Trump said the neighboring countries had no chance for a last-minute deal that would...

Trade Tensions Ignite as Canada and China Hit Back at US Tariffs

Canada and China have announced retaliatory tariffs in response to new US tariffs that went into effect today, igniting trade tensions between the world’s largest economies. After a 30-day pause, the US administration imposed a broad 25% tariff on Canada and Mexico on March 4, Expana's Ryan Doyle reported.

One minute past midnight, the US administration imposed 25% tariffs on Canadian exports and 10% tariffs on Canadian energy. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the decision had “no justification” and emphasized Canada’s efforts to combat...

Hendrix Genetics Swine Reaffirms China Focus Following Merger 

Hendrix Genetics Swine, the name of the merged entity between Hendrix Genetics’ Swine Division and Danish Genetics given earlier this year, will carry on with its “in China for China” strategy, it said.  

That was the policy carried out by the parent company Hendrix Genetics in the country. Hendrix Genetics holds a majority stake in Hendrix Genetics Swine.  

“Both Hypor and Danish Genetics products will remain available to the China market”, the company said, adding that the “marketing, sales, service and operation of both will be led and managed...

Agricultural Trade Highlighted During Greer's USTR Confirmation Hearing

On February 6, the Senate committee hearing was conducted for Trump’s nomination to the US Trade Representative (USTR), Jamieson Greer who previously served as the Chief of Staff to the agency under Robert Lighthizer. Since then, Greer has been advanced by the committee to a forthcoming Senate confirmation vote.

During the hearing, Greer spoke about bipartisan trade policy–notably the tariffs on China that were kept by the Biden administration. Greer says he wants the position because he believes America should be a country of producers...

Trump’s Canada-Mexico Tariff Timeline Shifts Again, Hints at EU Trade War

US President Donald Trump announced that tariffs on Canada and Mexico will be delayed until April 2 during a televised press conference with his cabinet.

This comes just days after Trump said the tariffs would be implemented at the start of March as the President continues to oscillate on the tariff implementation date involving the country’s neighbors.

Amid Trump’s comment regarding the April 2 tariff start date, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick added that America’s neighbors had to satisfy the president’s demands regarding border security and fentanyl crossing into the US border, suggesting that some levies could be enacted next week.

“It’s going to be hard to satisfy,” Trump said following Lutnick’s explanation.

Trump: Canada, Mexico Tariffs 'Will Go Forward'; Reciprocal Tariffs On Schedule

President Donald Trump announced Monday that tariffs on Canada and Mexico will take effect next month, ending a monthlong delay set to expire next week. Speaking at a White House news conference alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, Trump emphasized that the tariffs were moving forward as planned.

“We’re on time with the tariffs, and it seems like that’s moving along very rapidly,” he said, according to the Associated Press.

He also reaffirmed that his reciprocal tariff plan remains on track to begin as early as April...

Starbucks to Remove Menu Items; Changing Plans May Involve Stake Sale in China

By March 4, Starbucks will remove a selection of “less popular” menu items that include several Frappuccino® blended beverages, the Royal English Breakfast Latte, and the White Hot Chocolate, according to a press release. The removal of menu items will result in a 30% reduction in offerings by the end of the year.

“As part of our plan to get back to Starbucks, we’re simplifying our menu to focus on what sets Starbucks apart–a welcoming coffeehouse where people gather..."

Muyuan Foods Denies Investigation Reports, Takes Legal Action Against False Claims

Recent Chinese media reports suggested that Muyuan Foods, a large-scale Chinese livestock and feed producer, was under investigation by regulatory authorities. In response, Muyuan Foods issued a statement denying the claims and clarifying its position, “No investigation team from these regulatory bodies has been dispatched to our company. Our production and operations remain normal,” said the company. 

Muyuan Foods also addressed a separate dispute involving a transaction with its subsidiary, Nanyang Wolong Muyuan Farming Co., Ltd., another Chinese livestock and feed producer...

Trump Signs Memo to Advance Reciprocal Tariffs, Aims to Balance Trade

President Trump signed a memorandum that could lead to the implementation of reciprocal tariffs on the trading partners of the United States.

“The ‘Fair and Reciprocal Plan’ will seek to correct longstanding imbalances in international trade and ensure fairness across the board,” per a fact sheet from the White House. “Gone are the days of America being taken advantage of: this plan will put the American worker first, improve our competitiveness in every area of industry, reduce our trade deficit, and bolster our economic and national security...

Yike Food Partners with Shandong Guangming Bio on Broiler Breeding Projects 

Yike Food, a Chinese poultry processor, has signed an agreement with Shandong Guangming Biotechnology Co., Ltd., a Chinese broiler breeder, to collaborate on industry development initiatives. The two companies will jointly build and share external resources, co-apply for, and undertake national and provincial-level boiler breeding projects. 

Additionally, the partners plan to invest in new broiler breeding bases in Shandong and other regions of China. As part of the agreement, Shandong Guangming Bio will prioritize supplying high-quality breeding stock to Yike Food to support...

Wens Food Group Grows FY2024 Pork and Chicken Sales

In FY2024, Wens Food Group sold 30.2 million pork products (including live pigs and fresh pork), generating CNY 61.8 billion (approximately USD 8.5 billion) in revenue. The average sales price of live pigs for the year was CNY 16.7 per kilogram (approximately USD 2.3). Compared to 2023, the sales volume, revenue, and average sales price increased by 14.9%, 33.5%, and 12.9%, respectively. 

"The year-over-year increase in revenue from pork product sales in 2024 was primarily attributed to higher sales volumes and increased average...

Muyuan Group Sells 71.6 Million Pigs in FY24

Muyuan Group, a large scale Chinese livestock producer, has released its live hog sales data for December 2024, the fourth quarter, and the full fiscal year.

In December 2024, the company sold a total of 8.6 million pigs, including 8.2 million commercial pigs, 360,000 piglets, and 31,000 breeding pigs. These sales generated revenue of CNY 15.4 billion (approximately USD 2.1 billion). Among the total sales, 2.2 million pigs were sold to Muyuan’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Muyuan Meat Co., Ltd., and its subsidiaries.

The average sales price of commercial...

Trump to Lay Out Trade Vision but Won't Impose New Tariffs Yet

President-elect Donald Trump is planning to issue a broad memorandum Monday that directs federal agencies to study trade policies and evaluate U.S. trade relationships with China and America's continental neighbors -- but stops short of imposing new tariffs on his first day in office, as many trading partners feared.

The presidential memo directs federal agencies to investigate and remedy persistent trade deficits and address unfair trade and currency policies by other nations, two longstanding Trump irritants. And it singles out China, Canada and Mexico for scrutiny, directing agencies...

Foreign-Owned Agricultural Land in the US Increases

From 2022 to 2023, there was a 1.58-million-acre increase in foreign-held agricultural land, according to Farm Bureau. In the US, 45.85 million acres of agricultural land were held by foreign investors in 2023, representing 3.61% of total privately held agricultural land, according to the USDA’s Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act (AFIDA) report which shows an upward trend of land ownership by foreign entities across the nation. 

Since 2010, reports of foreign-held agricultural land have increased. This expansion is 21 million acres, or an area larger than South Carolina...

ANALYSIS: Economic Headwinds Drag China’s 2024 Meat Imports Down 9.7% to 6.66M mt

China’s 2024 total meat imports, including variety meats amounted to 6.66 million metric tons (mt), falling 9.7% compared to the previous year, according to the latest preliminary data from the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China.

As the world’s largest meat importer since 2019, China’s meat imports in 2024 decreased for the fourth consecutive year. From the spillover effects of its recovery from African Swine Fever (ASF) and stockpiling efforts in 2023 to increased domestic production, economic challenges...

ANALYSIS: China's Beef Imports Under Scrutiny: Overview of Historical Data of Key Suppliers

China's Ministry of Commerce has formally initiated an investigation into the surge of beef imports, which domestic stakeholders claim is causing severe harm to local industries. The application, submitted by major agricultural and livestock associations, outlines a detailed case for imposing safeguard measures under the nation's trade remedies legislation. This move comes in response to a significant rise in beef imports with lower pricing of imports undermining the domestic market...

ANALYSIS: China’s Nov 2024 Beef Imports Hit 11-Month Highs at 261,343 mt

China's beef imports rose for the second consecutive month in November 2024, reaching 261,343 metric tons (mt), the highest level since January, according to data from the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC).

Climbing by 10.1% month-on-month (m-o-m), the tonnage was up by 24,079 mt amid higher volumes from Brazil, its largest supplier, along with notable contributions from Argentina, Uruguay and the United States (US).

Year-on-year (y-o-y), imports grew by 10.4% (+24,678 mt) driven primarily...

USMEF Partners with Sam’s Club on U.S. Beef Training and Promotion in China

U.S. beef played a prominent role in the recent grand opening of Sam’s Club’s 50th retail outlet in China. In addition to sampling and promotions during grand opening events, U.S. beef was featured the previous day at a special promotional event. To publicize the freshness of chilled U.S. beef available at the store, USMEF livestreamed the fabrication of a chilled U.S. beef carcass (see section at page bottom)...

China Lifts Final Market Bans for Two Australian Beef Plants 

As of December 3rd, 2024, two Australian beef plants (Plant 1620 Australia Country Choice Production Pty Ltd and Plant 243 John Dee Warwick Pty Ltd) were approved for export to China, according to the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China.

The plants were banned from China’s market from 2021 and 2020 amid strained relationships between the two trading partners. 

“This is great news for Australian exporters, producers, and farmers... it’s a win for trade and a win for Australian jobs – something my Government will always back,” said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.  

Brazil Opens New Markets in China and Increases Number of Authorised Meatpacking Plants

During Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Brazil on 20 November agreements were signed on the opening of five new markets and certifying of 38 new meatpacking plants.

The Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (Mapa) finalized four phytosanitary protocols in collaboration with China's General Administration of Customs (GACC). These agreements enable exports of fresh grapes, sesame, sorghum, and fish-derived products such as fish meal and oil for animal feed to China. Earlier in June, China approved Brazilian pecans for import...

ANALYSIS: China’s Oct 2024 Beef Imports Rebound to 7-Month High at 237,264 mt

China's October 2024 beef imports rose to a 7-month high to 237,264 metric tonnes (mt), according to the latest data from the General Administration of Customs People's Republic of China.

Increasing by 8.7% month-on-month (m-o-m), October 2024’s imports rose by 19,066 mt from September 2024’s 5-month low. This rebound was primarily fuelled by stronger shipments from Brazil, its largest supplier, along with notable contributions from Uruguay and New Zealand.

Year-on-year (y-o-y), imports...

Philippines Surpasses China in Brazilian Pork Imports as Sector Hits Record Shipment Revenues

The Philippines has emerged as Brazil's largest export market for pork in 2024 with 206,000 tonnes shipped between January and October, a 103% year-on-year increase, displacing China as the top importer who, during the same period purchased 199,900 tonnes, down 41% according to The Brazilian Animal Protein Association (ABPA).

In October 2024, Brazil's pork exports, including fresh and processed products, reached 130,900 tonnes, representing the second-highest monthly total in the industry’s history and a 41% increase from the 93,000 tonnes...