America's agricultural trade imbalance has been steadily expanding since 2021, but don't expect policy fixes to turn the tide anytime soon. The reality is harsh—fighting this battle means going against massive structural forces in the global economy that no single trade negotiation can overcome. Trying to achieve balanced agricultural trade? That's chasing shadows. The economic fundamentals are simply too powerful, and the gap keeps widening. What looks achievable on paper often crumbles when it meets the complexity of international markets.