USTR Reports Trade Deals, Tariff Strategy Boost US Exports
On April 23, 2026, USTR Ambassador Greer testified before the House Ways and Means Committee on President Trump's trade policy outcomes. According to the USTR, trade agreements now cover over half the world's population, and the administration achieved record monthly exports exceeding $600 billion in January and February 2026. The USTR highlighted manufacturing wage gains, capital goods orders surging past $4 billion monthly in Q4 2025, and double-digit agricultural export growth in 2025. The testimony also flagged ongoing market access barriers in Canada affecting dairy, wine, and fresh produce exports.
Photo: RDNE Stock project / Pexels# USTR Reports Trade Deals Cover Over Half the World's Population
On April 23, 2026, US Trade Representative Ambassador Greer testified before the House Ways and Means Committee on the administration's trade policy achievements, framing tariff strategy and new trade deals as drivers of reshoring and export growth.
According to the USTR, President Trump's trade program has secured "trade deals covering over half the world's population." The administration credited tariffs with "unlock[ing] new markets for U.S. exports to boost America's global competitiveness."
Export Performance and Manufacturing
The USTR reported record-breaking export performance, with monthly figures exceeding $600 billion in January and February 2026—described as "the highest monthly export figures in U.S. history." In manufacturing, the USTR highlighted a surge in orders for capital goods used for production, "exceeding $4 billion each month of the fourth quarter of 2025."
Wage impacts were a central talking point. According to the testimony, "real manufacturing worker pay increased by $2,400 under President Trump" over one year, contrasted against a decline of $830 during the prior administration.
Sectoral Focuses: Agriculture and Market Access
US agricultural exports saw particularly strong growth, with the USTR reporting "double-digit growth in 2025" across corn, dairy, ethanol, and eggs. Representative Randy Feenstra (IA-04) applauded efforts to "open new markets for American farmers."
The USTR also flagged persistent trade barriers. Representative Claudia Tenney highlighted concerns from the 2026 National Trade Estimate Report:
Canada restricts market access for U.S. dairy, bans U.S. wine, and prohibits bulk fresh produce imports.
The Trump Administration indicated it would "continue to raise these issues with Canada to ensure a level playing field for American exporters."
Tariff Strategy and Market Effects
Ambassador Greer defended the tariff approach against criticism, citing macroeconomic indicators: the Dow closed above 50,000 for the first time in its nearly 130-year history, and "America continues to outperform all G7 nations in economic growth." The USTR framed tariffs as "correcting decades of bad trade policy."
What this means for shippers
Shippers should monitor ongoing negotiations with Canada and broader tariff-driven market shifts. Access current HS codes, valuation methodologies, and landed-cost estimation tools at /landed-cost and /hs-codes to price exports competitively in this evolving environment.
