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In this episode, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie sit down with Darci Vetter, internationally renowned Food & Agriculture Policy Expert and former U.S. Chief Agricultural Negotiator, to unpack the realities behind trade tariffs, global food security, and the shifting role of agriculture in U.S. and global policy.

Darci shares insights from her career in the U.S. Senate, USDA, and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, where she led agricultural negotiations for the Trans-Pacific Partnership. She explains in plain language how tariffs really work, who pays for them, and what this means for producers, exporters, and consumers around the world.

From South Africa’s citrus and blueberry industries to U.S. consumers’ grocery bills, Darci highlights how interconnected global food systems are — and what might come next as court cases, political negotiations, and shifting consumer pressures reshape trade policy.

The conversation also touches on:

•The impact of broad U.S. tariffs on farmers, exporters, and consumers

•Why tariffs are essentially “taxes on food” and hit low-income families hardest

•The future of U.S. agricultural research and its global role

•How bilateral deals affect countries like South Africa•The tension between trade policy and public health goals

•Opportunities for regenerative agriculture and supply chain transformation

Key Takeaways:

•Tariffs are not paid by foreign governments — they raise costs for importers and consumers.

•U.S. trade policy is shaping not just economics, but also access to healthy food worldwide.

•South Africa’s citrus and fruit industries are deeply exposed to U.S. tariff shifts.

•Reduced U.S. investment in agricultural research could have global ripple effects.

•Trade negotiations are increasingly linked to health, environment, and investment agendas.

Connect with Darci on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darci-vetter/

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