American farmers and ranchers have been in the middle of a seemingly never-ending trade war between the United States and China; however, a recent victory offers hope to the nation’s beef producers.

On August 2, President Donald Trump announced a new agreement that would increase U.S. beef exports by 46 percent in the next year to the 28-member European Union. In the next seven years, exports are anticipated to increase by another 90 percent, rising from $150 million to $420 million, an increase of more than 180 percent.

“This is a tremendous victory for American farmers, ranchers, and, of course, European consumers because American beef is considered the best in the world,” said Trump in a press conference held in the White House Roosevelt Room. “The agreement will lower trade barriers in Europe and expand access for American farmers and ranchers. My administration is standing up for our farmers and ranchers like never before.”

However, before the deal can go into effect, the European Parliament must approve, and any exports will be contingent on being “hormone-free” to be in alignment with the EU’s current guidelines.

Speaking in front of beef producers and EU officials, Trump said, “Agricultural products and exports have increased by more than $10 billion, and beef exports have increased by more than 31 percent. In another major win, we fully opened the Japanese market to U.S. beef. We also opened markets in Tunisia, Morocco, and Australia.”

Despite these victories, China’s ongoing trade dispute with the U.S. has put the nation’s farmers in a tough spot. At present, China has halted importance of U.S. agricultural products, according to Bloomberg News, following Trump’s threat of 10 percent tariffs on the remaining $300 billion in Chinese imports.

Hu Xijin, China’s Global Times editor-in-chief, recently tweeted: “Based on what I know, in view of new tariff threat by the US side, the Chinese side has decided to suspend tariff exemption for U.S. farms goods and Chinese enterprises have halted buying U.S. farm products. The Chinese side won't submit to the U.S.”

Trump isn’t planning to back down anytime soon, though. At the press conference, he told the audience, “When our farmers became victims of unjustified retaliatory tariffs from China and other countries, we provided $28 billion, over a two-year period, in relief. The agreement that we are about to sign keeps one more promise to the great patriots of American agriculture.

“These are indeed patriots. They're always targeted first by other countries to try and take advantage of the United States.”

He added, “Opening markets for our farmers is about more than just an industry, it's about a way of life. Generations of hard work, passion, and dedication have gone into making America the largest producer of high-quality beef anywhere in the world, by far. We're proud of our farmers and ranchers. We love our farmers and ranchers.

“And with this announcement, we take one more step in giving them the level playing field that they've really been looking forward to this for many, many years. They want a level playing field. That's all they want. And nobody can beat them.”

This new agreement with the EU will nearly triple the duty-free access of American ranchers to high-quality beef, in Europe. This news was well received by industry groups, including the North American Meat Institute, National Cattlemen’s Beef Assoc., and U.S. Meat Export Federation.

As for me, I think anytime we can open up greater access to an export market, it is a win for U.S. beef producers. China may continue to be a thorn in our side, but I appreciate President Trump’s efforts to provide some relief and, more important, opportunities, to farmers and ranchers.

Some may argue that this is just a Band-Aid on a bullet wound. Others say this trade deal won’t add much to our bottom line. Some will cry that not enough trickles down to the cow-calf sector. While these folks may have good points, I’m going to look on the bright side here.

This is good news, and I’m glad we have an administration who at least listens to the concerns of our nation’s producers.

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments for Amanda Radke may write to her in care of this publication.