News

NPPC: U.S. Mexico Canada Agreement will benefit pork producers

The director of international trade for the National Pork Producers Council says the U.S. Mexico Canada Agreement, if ratified, will provide much-needed certainty to pork producers.

Maria Zieba testified on behalf of NPPC at an International Trade Commission hearing on Friday.

“The Mexican and Canadian markets have been vital to the success of the U.S. pork producer,” she says. “A quarter of our exports and about 15 percent of our production go to those two countries so having that USMCA is key to our continued success.”

As part of the ratification process, the commission is charged with putting together a report for congress on the effects of the USMCA on the economy.

But, she tells Brownfield retaliatory tariffs must be removed for producers to receive the full benefits of the USMCA.

“We have seen the negative effects of them on our exports specifically to Mexico,” she says. “Year to date, our exports are down 8 percent- it really can’t come soon enough.”

Zieba says the NPPC is also pleased the USMCA preserves the zero-tariff rate that was included in NAFTA.

Audio: Maria Zieba, National Pork Producers Council