National Pork Producers Council Optimistic About US-EU Trade Agreement Framework
The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) has expressed optimism regarding the recently released trade agreement framework between the United States and the European Union. The framework includes targeted efforts to address longstanding trade imbalances that have impacted the pork industry for decades.
National Pork Producers Council President Duane Stateler shared the industry’s positive outlook on the new trade framework, stating, “America’s pork producers are encouraged by the specific inclusion of pork in the U.S.-EU framework to address tariff and non-tariff barriers to trade. We look forward to continued collaboration to address longstanding market access issues.”
The pork trade imbalance between the US and EU has been a persistent issue, with the US importing significantly more pork products from the EU than it exports to the region. In 2024, the United States exported only $7 million in pork products to the European Union, while importing over $709 million in pork from EU countries, according to NPPC data.
This stark difference highlights the challenge facing American pork producers. Interestingly, the US exports more pork to Honduras than to all 27 countries in the European Union combined, underscoring the restrictive trade environment with the EU.
The National Pork Producers Council is committed to actively engaging with the Trump administration and international partners to both maintain existing markets and open new opportunities for U.S. pork exports. The Council emphasized its ongoing efforts, stating it will “engage with the Trump administration and international partners to maintain and open new market access for U.S. pork.”
The US-EU trade framework’s focus on reducing tariff and non-tariff barriers represents a critical step forward for the pork industry. If successfully implemented, these measures could help balance the pork trade relationship, improve market access, and strengthen the competitiveness of American pork producers on the global stage.
As the framework moves forward, the National Pork Producers Council remains hopeful that cooperation between the US and EU will result in tangible benefits for pork farmers and exporters nationwide.
Audio Reporting by Dale Sandlin for Southeast AgNet.