Chinese retaliation on U.S. pork exports will harm the rural economy, by
National Pork Producers Council, 3/23/18
Last year, the U.S. pork industry exported $1.1 billion of
product to China, making that country the No. 2 value market for U.S. pork.
The National Pork Producers Council warned that possible Chinese
tariffs on U.S. pork could have a significant negative impact on rural America.
China has indicated it will impose the duties in response to U.S. tariffs and
restrictions — announced today — being placed on a host of Chinese goods.
“We sell a lot of pork to China, so higher tariffs on our
exports going there will harm our producers and undermine the rural economy,”
says NPPC President Jim Heimerl, a pork producer from Johnstown, Ohio. “No one
wins in these tit-for-tat trade disputes, least of all the farmers and the
consumers.”
Last year, the U.S. pork industry exported $1.1 billion of
product to China, making that country the No. 2 value market for U.S. pork.
An article on Bloomberg.com this morning says, “China unveiled
tariffs on $3 billion of U.S. imports in response to steel and aluminum duties
ordered by Trump earlier this month. The White House then declared a temporary
exemption for the European Union and other nations on those levies, making
the focus on China clear. Though Beijing’s actions so far are seen by analysts
as measured, there may be more to come.”
Many economists, including Iowa State University economist
Dermot Hayes, have cautioned that tariffs on U.S. agricultural products could
disrupt exports to China. Lost sales would have severe economic consequences
for America’s farmers, who shipped nearly $20 billion of goods to the Asian
nation in 2017.
The U.S. restrictions on Chinese imports come after an inquiry
by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative into China’s practices related
to technology transfer, licensing and intellectual property rights. USTR’s
Section 301 — of the 1974 Trade Act — investigation determined that U.S.
companies have lost billions of dollars from being forced by China to disclose
intellectual property and to transfer technology.
“When it comes to trade, we expect all countries to follow
international rules and to trade fairly,” Heimerl says. “We also expect all
countries to resolve trade disputes in a way that doesn’t harm businesses,
farmers and consumers.”
The U.S. Meat Export Federation issued the following statement
this morning: “The announcement by the Chinese government that it is placing pork on
a list of U.S. products that could be subject to increased import duties is
cause for great concern in the pork industry. USMEF is seeking further details
on this announcement and on the likely timing of any action by the Chinese
government.
“China is a key market for U.S. pork and especially
for pork variety meat. In 2017, the U.S. industry exported 309,284 metric tons
of pork and pork variety meat to China, valued at $663.1 million — our
third-largest international market by volume and fourth-largest by value. For
variety meat exports only, China was our largest destination in both volume
(181,351 mt) and value ($425.2 million). In fact, China accounted for more than
one-third of U.S. pork variety meat exports last year.
“Variety meat exports make a very important
contribution to hog carcass value, and last year these exports to China alone
equated to more than $3.50 per U.S. hog slaughtered. China is a price-sensitive
market, so any tariff rate increase would affect the competitive position of
U.S. pork.”
Friday’s Daily Livestock Report by Steiner Consulting Group
addressed what the U.S. pork industry may face as a result of the tariff war.
“If they do go into effect, however, they are bearish for U.S. pork prices,
especially for fall and winter hog/pork values. U.S. pork production is
expected to be record large this fall and the tariff will make it more
difficult to sell into the Chinese market. The tariff would be particularly
negative for byproduct values since China takes about a third of all our pork
variety exports.
“But bearish as the announcement is, it should not be
overstated. Our pork competes with pork from the European Union for access to
China. U.S. average base hog carcass price is around $54 per hundredweight
compared to $83 in the EU. Lower hog prices this fall may be needed to maintain
U.S. competitiveness versus EU products. The next area of uncertainty for the
pork complex is the North American Free Trade Agreement re-negotiation and the
possibility that Mexico, the biggest buyer of U.S. pork, may also impose
tariffs. This will continue to add uncertainty in a market that already is
coping with larger than expected supplies and new trade barriers.”
Barry Carpenter, president and CEO of the North American Meat
Institute, in a statement stresses the negative impact China’s tariffs will
have.
“The decision by the Chinese government to levy 25%
tariffs on U.S. pork will significantly curtail exports to this critical market
at a time when China is expanding hog production, pushing domestic pork prices
lower.
“These retaliatory tariffs will disproportionately
affect hardworking American pork packers and producers, who will bear the main
burden of these measures in the form of lost revenue and restricted market
access, particularly as U.S. pork production is slated to rise this year.
“China in 2017 was the second largest volume market
and third largest value market for U.S. pork exports, totaling more than $1.1
billion.
“It’s clear the future growth of the U.S. meat
sector, and agricultural economy, depends upon a robust trade relationship with
China — one that adheres to international standards, embraces fair trade,
supports American job growth and expands access of high-quality U.S. meat
products to a growing consumer base.
“We once again urge the Trump administration to
pursue constructive negotiations with the Chinese government to prevent further
escalation of a trade war that will undoubtedly harm U.S. businesses and
consumers.”
According to a previous
article by Bloomberg, “China would feel some impact if it cuts back — it’s heavily
dependent on U.S. soybeans for cooking oil and animal feed, especially in
seasons when Brazil isn’t harvesting. But the damage would be real, both
economic and political. Soybean production is concentrated in middle-American
states that voted for Trump.
“U.S. pork exports could be another ‘easy target,’ amid a boost
in China’s sow herd, according to Vertical Group, a New York-based investment
bank.”
Norb Leahy, Dunwoody
GA Tea Party Leader
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