While Details Need To Be Addressed, USMEF Optimistic About UK Deal

On Thursday, the Trump Administration announced the framework for a trade deal between the U.S. and United Kingdom.  If realized, the agreement would allow some duty-free beef trade between the two countries.  U.S. Meat Export Federation President and CEO Dan Halstrom said the market is promising for American beef, if a number of trade issues can be resolved.

“We've had, in the past, duty-free access, and currently have duty-free access into the EU, but when the UK departed the EU for Brexit a few years ago, we lost that duty-free access," Halstrom noted.  "So, from a tariff standpoint, the fact that they would be creating a zero duty, country specific spot for U.S. beef into the UK, this is definitely encouraging."

Halstrom was quick to point out there are a few concerns that remain for USMEF.

“There's quite a few issues around non-tariff trade barriers that concern us, around market access restrictions, around plant approvals, around hormone usage, also around residue testing. While we're optimistic, we hope that these other non-tariff issues are taken into account as well.”

Click Here for details on that agreement in-principle announced by the Administration last week.

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