The US pork industry is squealing after its two biggest foreign markets imposed steep tariffs in retaliation for steel and aluminium duties from the Trump administration.
Mexico last week declared a 20 per cent duty on imports of pork from the US, up from zero. China in April raised tariff rates on US pork from 12 per cent to 37 per cent, putting the meat at a disadvantage in a global market.
The duties target an industry with a strong presence in states that voted for President Donald Trump, including Iowa, Indiana and North Carolina. Before Mexico’s announcement, the government estimated the US would export nearly a quarter of its 12.2m tonnes of pork production this year.