The Meat Institute is calling on the Trump administration to renew the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), citing its broad benefits for American meat and poultry companies and the entire US animal protein value chain.
“USMCA has been a boon for the American meat, livestock, and poultry sectors, as well as the broader food and agriculture economy,” said Julie Anna Potts, president and CEO of the Meat Institute. “It has provided steady income to American farmers, ranchers, and exporters, created jobs for truck drivers, ports, and transportation companies, strengthened food retail and food service establishments, and accomplished all of this through transparent rules that allow businesses to plan supply chains and build long-term customer relationships.”
USMCA entered into force on July 1, 2020, replacing the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) to establish more balanced and reciprocal trade that supports high-paying jobs and economic growth across North America, according to the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR).
“The long-term economic viability of the US meat and poultry industry depends on robust international trade, particularly as domestic per capita consumption remains stable and 95% of consumers live outside the U.S.,” the Meat Institute wrote in comments submitted to the USTR on November 3. “International trade is vital to the long-term strength of the industry, the American workers it supports, and the rural and farming communities it sustains.”
In 2024, US meat and poultry exports exceeded US$ 24.6 billion, with US$ 7.5 billion shipped to Canada and Mexico. Each year, roughly 14% of US beef, 15% of poultry, and 25% of pork production is exported. Exports add value to every animal processed and, in turn, increase demand for US corn and soybeans. Source: Drovers
