Row Crops and the U.S. Agricultural Trade Deficit: Recent Trends and Policy Issues

ABSTRACT Row crops such as soybeans, corn, wheat, and cotton are the backbone of the U.S. farm sector, accounting for around $60 billion of exports in 2023. While U.S. row crop exports remain robust, growing concerns over the rising U.S. agricultural trade deficit underscore the need to appraise the ongoing market and policy dynamics affecting the viability of this key sector. To this end, we analyze recent trends and policy issues impacting U.S. row crops. In particular, we highlight how trade and domestic policies, evolving comparative advantages, and other market forces have shaped recent trade patterns. We also provide a forward‐looking assessment of how U.S. trade in row crops is likely to evolve in coming years, and further outline potential policy approaches to maintaining the U.S. position in global markets for row crops.