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USMEF: USMCA remains key to sustaining long-term meat export demand

The U.S. Meat Export Federation says the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement is key to supporting long-term demand.

Joe Schuele says the agreement has helped expand access for lower-value cuts back into the marketplace.

“Mexico is our largest destination for beef variety meat,” he says. “Canada is our largest market for processed meats. Producers need to get the maximum value from every beef and pork cut that they can. Mexico and Canada play a critical role in that.”

Schuele says he’s concerned the potential elimination of the agreement could cause new trade disruptions.

“If we’re in a situation where we’re going to have to introduce tariffs that introduce obstacles and inefficiency into our red meat trade, that’s going to impact our production and our U.S. consumers long- term,” he says.

Schuele says the industry expects negotiations to continue past July 1st, as stalled formal discussions with Canada remain a concern for the ag industry.

Schuele made his comments during a recent call with reporters to discuss the importance of the USMCA with the Corn Refiners Association and the American Coalition for USMCA.