Dear Food Export Community,
The trade landscape remains unpredictable. Tariffs and counter-tariffs continue to ricochet between major economies, undermining business confidence. Saber-rattling grabs headlines, but real solutions remain elusive. The World Trade Organization (WTO) recently slashed its 2025 trade growth forecast, citing the toll of protectionism and policy instability. The Economic Policy Uncertainty Index shows we’re heading into uncharted territory. It’s also becoming increasingly clear that there is so much more geopolitical activity here than simply trade balances.
This volatility won’t ease through brinkmanship. It demands calm, strategic negotiation—diplomacy that benefits the U.S. and the global economy alike.
Just as important as the deals themselves are the frameworks that shape them. The United States’ wavering engagement with international institutions like the WTO and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (UN FAO) is cause for concern. These organizations are far from perfect—slow, frustrating, overdue for reform. But they remain essential arenas where food standards are set and trade disputes are resolved. Withdrawing from them doesn’t fix the rules—it forfeits our ability to influence them.
The WTO may be flawed, but withdrawal would be disastrous for the billions in U.S. exports that depend on open markets and rules-based trade. As the Heritage Foundation emphasizes, “The WTO is not a perfect institution and warrants criticism and oversight. The U.S. should work harder to reform the institution, not withdraw from it.” Likewise, the Center for American Progress has called for renewed U.S. leadership at the WTO to promote a fairer and more sustainable global economy—arguing that “the organization needs a leader committed to modernizing and reforming the global trade system.”
The same holds true for the FAO, which coordinates global food standards through efforts like Codex Alimentarius. Disengaging would silence our voice in shaping the future of food—forums our exporters cannot afford to leave.
Food Export recently joined a broad coalition of voices urging continued U.S. membership in both the FAO and the WTO. Our position is clear: don’t divest—engage and reform. If we step away, we empower others to rewrite the rules without us. You can’t lead if you don’t show up.
During uncertainty, one thing remains clear: relationships give us momentum.
Every week, I hear from U.S. suppliers building global connections despite the noise of tariffs and geopolitics. Yes, many in our network are facing headwinds, and those stories are not ignored. But personal relationships cut through the static. When a buyer in Taiwan meets a snack food maker from Ohio, the conversation is about partnership—not policy. That’s how deals happen. That’s how trust is built.
That’s why I’m especially proud of Food Export’s Buyers Missions—and one that’s become a beacon of optimism. Last summer, we launched the inaugural Summer in the Cities Buyers Mission, bringing vetted international buyers directly to our region. It worked.
More than a dozen pre-qualified buyers—from Brazil, China, Vietnam, and beyond—met one-on-one with U.S. companies. New deals were signed. New markets opened. Participants told us how refreshing it was to look someone in the eye and talk business face-to-face. The results: over $14 million in immediate sales, with much more projected. But beyond the numbers, it gave our exporters something harder to quantify: confidence.
We’ve now made Summer in the Cities our signature U.S. event—not just because of the sales, but because of the networks it builds. Every business card, every product sample, every handshake—these are the building blocks of sustainable growth. That’s the momentum we carry forward.
With that momentum, I’m excited to announce the 2025 Summer in the Cities tour will expand to three stops: Chicago, Columbus, and Jersey City, in early August.
Why these cities?
Each stop will feature curated, one-on-one meetings with serious international buyers—identified in collaboration with our state partners and overseas reps. If you joined us last year, you know the value. If you didn’t, I hope you’ll see the opportunity: there is no substitute for an in-person connection with someone ready to invest in your product. We’re especially excited by the support from the Illinois, Ohio, and New Jersey Departments of Agriculture. Their hands-on partnership exemplifies what makes Food Export unique: a network of committed leaders working together to grow our economies, one export at a time.
What comes next is a season of opportunity. Yes, the trade policy winds are still swirling. But we can’t wait for the storm to pass. Our job is to press forward—expanding export frontiers, one handshake at a time.
If you’re a supplier, now is the time to engage. Sign up for Summer in the Cities. Explore our educational resources. Connect with your Liaison. Whatever the tool—use it. These programs exist to help you grow, even when the road isn’t smooth.
In closing, I’ve seen these cycles before. I remember when a strong dollar alone could turn Food Export’s programs upside down. But we’ve always found a way forward. Because what holds us together is our commitment to cooperation. And what gives us momentum is our readiness to act.
Now, what comes next is up to all of us. Let’s move forward—together.
Thanks for reading,
Brendan Wilson
CEO, Food Export-Midwest & Food Export-Northeast
Your Input Matters: If there is a topic you wish for me to discuss in this space, let me know. You can reach me at info@foodexport.org. Just put Attn: Brendan Wilson in the subject line.