More than 60 percent of U.S. red meat exports go to countries involved in NAFTA or TPP, says the U.S. Meat Export Federation, part of the chorus of livestock and meat industry groups worried by the Trump administration upheaval of trade agreements. “The honeymoon with many in agriculture was over before it ever really began, it appears,” says Beef magazine, adding, “And many in ag don’t like it.”
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association said beef exports to Mexico grew by 750 percent since NAFTA was implemented and that TPP would have removed barriers to U.S. beef in Asia. “We’re especially concerned that the Administration is taking these actions without any meaningful alternatives in place that would compensate for the tremendous loss that cattle producers will face without TPP or NAFTA,” said NCBA president Tracy Brunner. The Meat Export Federation has a similar request.
USDA estimates 15 percent of beef and pork production is exported annually. The exports are worth around $12 billion a year.