US-UK trade talks progressing

by | Sep 29, 2020 | 5 Ag Stories, News

The United States (U.S.) and the United Kingdom (UK) wrapped up the fourth round of trade talks this month, with another round planned for mid-October. The UK Department of International Trade says, “Significant progress has been achieved since launching negotiations in May 2020, and most chapter areas are now in the advanced stages of talks.” Chief Ag Negotiator with the U.S. Trade Representative’s Office, Gregg Doud, recently said, “I’m confident here that we are going to get an opportunity to engage with them and work on these issues,” the issues being tariffs, biotech, and market opportunity.

Doud noted tariffs on U.S. products will be high when the UK leaves the European Union, upwards of 25 percent. However, for beef, pork, and poultry, the UK imports $4.5 billion of meat from the European Union. Doud says, ?if we can get things right, I think we will have a fair shot at that,? giving U.S. meat producers a new market