The North American Meat Institute has issued a statement concerning the Trump Administration’s announcement of tariffs on Chinese imports. The statement from NAMI President and CEO Barry Carpenter reads as follows:

“The Meat Institute commends the Trump Administration’s efforts to promote fairer, more open and transparent trade with China, but we are concerned that the tariffs on Chinese imports announced today will serve only to undermine our access to the Chinese market and risk escalation of a trade war. 

“While we share the Administration’s commitment to leveling the playing field for American workers and businesses, the ramifications of the tariffs for U.S. agriculture are particularly troubling.  China, in 2017, was the U.S.’s second largest agricultural export market.  China also was the third largest market for U.S. pork and fourth largest market for U.S. beef by value in 2017.  Moreover, 60 percent of U.S. hides and skins exports, which total $2 billion annually, are sent to China.    

“It’s clear the future growth of the U.S. agricultural economy, and meat and poultry sector, depends upon a robust trade relationship with China.  This restrictive trade policy will not only undercut U.S. agricultural exports and economic growth, but will also cause undue harm to America’s agricultural communities, which will likely bear the brunt of China’s retaliatory measures. 

“We urge the Administration to adopt a more constructive approach regarding China trade policy, with the goal of preserving and expanding U.S. market access and protecting millions of American jobs.”

Source: NAMI