IPPA comments on Trump aid

MINONK – "As pig farmers, we are pleased to hear that monetary relief is coming our way to help combat the losses we have incurred in recent months," says IPPA President Pam Janssen from Minonk. "More so, we are proud of the recent accomplishment regarding the lift of steel and aluminum tariffs under Section 232 with Canada and Mexico."

With the Section 232 tariffs removed, the Illinois Pork Producers Association hopes pig farmers will see $12 per head back in their pockets, as that value was deemed possible by exports to Mexico. Although Illinois pig farmers are grateful for the trade relief package, they are more concerned about the ongoing trade war and implications it has caused the markets. IPPA urges Congress to quickly ratify the U.S.-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) trade agreement, which preserves zero-tariff access to markets that represent more than 30 percent of total U.S. pork exports.

Efforts are already underway to boost access for U.S. farm goods in India, Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines, among other countries. However, China is the main player that needs our focus right now says IPPA. The current situation in China represents a historic sales opportunity for U.S. pork.