President Donald Trump says he will lift tariffs on steel and aluminum imports if Mexico and Canada sign a fair revision of the North American Free Trade Agreement. National Pork Producers Council Trade Committee Chair Ken Maschhoff says they’re concerned with this action and the fact that neither Canada or Mexico is happy with the President’s demand.
Maschhoff says the President’s stance could derail the NAFTA renegotiation, which would be very costly for the U.S. pork industry.
He’s hoping it will help to have Gregg Doud now confirmed as Chief Ag Trade Negotiator. However, he may face headwinds with U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer.
Maschhoff says export markets are critical to the U.S. pork industry, now accounting for 27-percent of total production. He says that will continue to rise to 30 to 35-percent in the next few years.
