AFIA happy that US will negotiate trade deals

The intent to negotiate the agreements was released last week.

Safeguarding access to important markets

Japan represents the United States’ 3^rd largest export market for animal feed with over $ 879 million in goods exported in 2017. Exports to the EU are negligible, due to the burdensome and onerous restrictions and hurdles the industry faces in this market. With the UK leaving the EU in 2019, the future of the United States’ trading relationship with the country remains uncertain. However, by eliminating existing barriers and levelling the playing field, the separate trade agreements with Japan, the UK and the EU would allow America’s animal feed and ingredient manufacturers greater access into these markets.

Economic growth

Gina Tumbarello, AFIA’s director of international policy and trade, stated: “We strongly believe that trade agreements generate economic growth, reduce market volatility and create thousands of new jobs. Trade agreements such as the ones the Trump administration is looking to negotiate with Japan, the EU and the UK must be comprehensive, developed in a single undertaking, seek to remove all unjustified non-tariff barriers and be based on science. AFIA looks forward to providing counsel and input to the USTR on the US animal feed industry’s goals and objectives for successful negotiations.”