Internationalism has increasingly become a critical component in agricultural markets and policies. However, trade policy in the United States and elsewhere continues to reflect a narrow protectionist philosophy. While it must be ranked among the most liberal of world trading nations, United States agricultural trade policy has not evolved in a manner consistent with this increased internationalism. This inconsistency is highlighted by a case study of trade policies in the liverstock and meat products sector. The paper concludes that the United States must assume leadership in coordinating the adjustment to a new international trade order that reflects interdependence among agricultural trading nations.