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Damage expected to ag exports from TPP pullout

The head of the U.S. Meat Export Federation says the U.S. leaving the Trans-Pacific Partnership will have a lasting impact on ag exports no matter the final outcome.

“You look two or three years down the road on beef and pork and we’re going to be at a severe disadvantage going forward.”

CEO Dan Halstrom says while the U.S. would be welcomed to rejoin the trade deal, it won’t be at the same level. The 11-country trade agreement is expected to be signed Thursday.

Tom Sleight with the U.S. Grains Council says the greatest benefit in trade deals with NAFTA and TPP to agriculture are standardized rules for biotechnology issues.  “Language that was negotiated in TPP was picked up and put into the NAFTA agreement, that chapter of NAFTA is just about closed.  We face these battles all over the world and that’s one area where we could see some clear advantages.”

Halstrom and Sleight were part of a Telephone Townhall hosted by the Corn Marketing Program of Michigan Wednesday to educate farmers on pressing trade topics.

AUDIO: Michigan Corn’s Telephone Townhall