Philip Seng, former president and CEO of the U.S. Meat Export Federation, has been presented Japan’s Order of the Rising Sun, which is awarded to people who have made distinguished achievements in international relations and other fields.

U.S. pork exports continue to break records, buoyed by unprecedented demand from China, where African swine fever decimated production, but American producers are preparing to adapt as the country quickly rebuilds its herd.

It’s been a constant struggle over the years to get Japan to buy more U.S. rice, and a new development may be just the ticket to help improve trade ties.

As the spread of COVID-19 in April slowed meat processing facilities and important Latin American trading partners lost purchasing power, U.S. beef exports fell below last year's totals and pork exports grew at a slower rate than in the first quarter.

Expectations for U.S. beef exports to China this year are being tempered by the COVID-19 pandemic, but shipments have already begun and they’re expected to continue strong despite the spread of the virus.

It’s been less than a month since the U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement kicked off on Jan. 1 and the outlook for U.S. beef and pork exports is already rosier.

In a wide-ranging year-end interview, USTR Chief Agricultural Negotiator Gregg Doud offered more details about the "Phase One" deal with China, a long list of export accomplishments, and what to expect on trade in 2020.