The US-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement has continued to serve as a strong pillar for the U.S. pork industry, and producers say maintaining that framework is essential for long-term stability and growth. Industry leaders argue the agreement has helped deepen trade ties across the continent, creating what some describe as an increasingly integrated North American pork market.
Roy Lee Lindsey, CEO of the North Carolina Pork Council, says producers are fully supportive of keeping the agreement in place and ensuring its benefits continue.
“As we look to USMCA, we think it’s critical that we get a renewal, if you will. You know, we keep USMCA and the opportunities it’s provided for us in those markets, it’s really kind of helped us. We’re almost evolving into almost a North America market for pork, if you will. And NAFTA and then USMCA really have helped facilitate that growth.”
The modern trade framework replaced NAFTA in 2020 and preserved duty-free access for U.S. pork moving into Mexico and Canada, two of the industry’s most important customers. For producers, proximity matters. Having a top export destination just across the border reduces transportation costs and logistical hurdles, adding a competitive edge compared to overseas shipments.
Lindsey says Mexico in particular has proven to be a reliable and mutually beneficial partner for U.S. pork producers.
“When your number one export market is your neighbor, it’s a whole lot cheaper to sell product and send it to Mexico than it is to ship it overseas, put it on a ship, move it somewhere, when we move it by truck or by train or whatever. So I think that’s our hope when we think about where those are.”
Producers say maintaining strong trade relationships within North America not only supports farm-level profitability but also strengthens supply chain efficiency. As discussions continue around trade policy and potential adjustments to existing agreements, pork leaders say preserving market access to Mexico and Canada remains a top priority.
