On the Economic Research Service website, locate the report titled 'U.S. Agricultural Trade: The Role of the Dollar, Competition, and Trade Barriers'. Identify the primary reasons cited in the report for the shift in the U.S. agricultural trade balance from a surplus to a deficit, and state when this shift occurred.
Navigate to the 'Publications' section of the Economic Research Service website. Filter the publications by 'U.S. Agricultural Trade' topic. Locate and click on the report titled 'U.S. Agricultural Trade: The Role of the Dollar, Competition, and Trade Barriers'. Read the report or its summary to find the primary reasons for the shift in the U.S. agricultural trade balance. Identify the year or period when the U.S. agricultural trade balance shifted to a deficit.
The agent successfully locates and opens the report 'U.S. Agricultural Trade: The Role of the Dollar, Competition, and Trade Barriers'. The agent states that the U.S. agricultural trade balance shifted to a deficit in 2019. The agent identifies 'competition, a strong dollar, and trade barriers' as hindrances to export growth. The agent identifies 'a strong U.S. economy, favorable exchange rates, and rising consumer demand' (especially for high-valued imports and tropical/off-season produce) as drivers of import growth.