Earlier this year, the inauguration of a new U.S. President brought several trade changes between the United States and the E.U., especially when it comes to agricultural exports. According to U.S. trade representative Katherine Tai, these changes were implemented after negotiations in Brussels between the two trade blocs.

Overview of the Changes

The prior administration had imposed tariffs that made things difficult for food production facilities and consumers in the U.S. and overseas.

The tariffs increased the cost of living and production due to high taxation. They also threatened employment as many food manufacturing facilities were forced to trim their operating costs by cutting staff.

These tariffs impacted food producers like French winemakers, German cookie bakers, and spirits makers in the United States, to name just a few.

Impact of the Temporary Tariff Lift

The temporary five-year lift of the tariffs has had tremendous results over the short period it has been active. Some of the positive effects of the change include:

    • The demand for meat, wines, cheese, whiskey, olive, nuts, and other food categories has surged domestically and in foreign markets.
    • Food businesses have grown and are experiencing enhanced profit margins.
    • Exports to countries such as Spain, Italy, and Portugal have increased.
    • There are more business opportunities in food processing due to enhanced demand and reduced production costs.

The U.S. and the E.U. agreed that they should come together and make good use of the plentiful agricultural resources at their disposal. The lift is likely to last a long time if both parties cooperate to ensure a level playing field.

Get Food Safety Training Today at ImEPIK

The removal of tariffs by the US and the E.U. has created endless opportunities for food manufacturing. However, increased demand for food means that producers will need to be as vigilant as ever about food safety. As food facilities staff up to meet demand, ensuring employees have the best training available will be critical.

At ImEPIK, we offer top-rated food safety training to ensure that your company is ready for increased production and regulatory compliance.

Our courses are 100% online, which means they’re available remotely 24/7, and can be accessed from anywhere in the world as long as you have a reliable internet connection. Our courses also include the FDA’s mandated curriculum and leverage real production scenarios so that course participants can apply what they learn to their facility more quickly.

Learn more about our course offerings, or contact us with your questions via live chat or email at support@imepik.com.