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Pork producers optimistic about trade announcement

The National Pork Producers Council says Tuesday’s announcement that the U.S. will seek separate trade deals with Japan, the European Union, and the United Kingdom shows the momentum on U.S. trade is headed in the right direction.

NPPC’s Jim Monroe tells Brownfield working on a new deal with Japan is vital to the pork industry.  “You’ve seen Japan recently form trade agreements that will likely be in effect next year with the European Union and of course, the new TPP agreement, and if we don’t get our own new free trade agreement with Japan, we are at risk of losing market share.”

Monroe is also pleased to hear the administration wants to eliminate barriers with the United Kingdom and the European Union, where disagreements on production practices limit U.S. pork in those markets.  “It needs to be based on U.S. based production standards or those that are endorsed by global organizations and not what we’ve seen from European practices.”

New deals, if reached, are expected to increase export sales of pork, beef, rice, and dairy products.

Monroe says it’s also important for U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer’s team to continue negotiating with Canada and Mexico to resolve steel and aluminum issues so that retaliatory tariffs against pork can be lifted.

Lighthizer notified Congress Tuesday of his intent to begin trade talks with Japan, the EU, and the UK.  In a letter to Senator Chuck Schumer, Lighthizer pointed out trade deficits of nearly 69 billion dollars with Japan.  Even with 12 billion in ag commodities being sent to Japan last year, Lighthizer refers to Japan as an underperforming market.