The U.S. pork industry regained market access in Argentina, and the market access opportunity could end up benefiting other trade partnerships.
Last week, the U.S. pork industry regained access to the Argentine market. Argentina was among several countries with non-science based barriers to U.S pork imports. Senator Grassley (R-IA) said the market access gain would benefit other trade partnerships.
?This is a very positive step for Iowa producers,? Grassley said. ?Iowa is the number one hog producing state in the nation, and leads the world in pork exports. It also serves as another positive sign, that agriculture?s market access is being taken seriously by the Trump Administration. That?s especially important as the three countries of NAFTA renegotiate modernization.?
Senator Grassley made note of the aggressive, negotiating timetable made for the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Negotiators from the United States, Canada and Mexico will meet for two additional rounds of negotiation before the end of September. Senator Grassley said the process will wrap-up quickly.
?Ideally, this process will wrap-up quickly,? Grassley said. ?However, it?s more important to negotiate a good deal that sets a strong precedent for trade agreements negotiated in the future. The Trump Administration must negotiate a deal Canada and Mexico can agree too, and that can also pass Congress, under the rules of our trade promotion authority legislation.?
Senator Grassley said negotiators must make sure to end all discussions in time for next year?s elections, the United States’ mid-term election and Mexico?s presidential election. If negotiators fail to conclude discussions within a timely manner, Grassley said the renegotiation process would be difficult to complete in 2018.
