US and Panama FTA likely to level playing field for pork producers

The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) said a US trade agreement with Panama will provide new market opportunities for a wide range of American agricultural products and it will level the playing field for US pork producers and other food producers.

In testimony last week, elected NPPC president Sam Carney told members of the Senate Finance Committee that implementing the trade agreement will not only level the playing field but will also open to US pork producers, other agricultural sectors and US businesses a market of almost 3.4 million consumers.

US pork exports to Panama currently are restricted by a small quota and out-of-quota duties as high as 80 percent.

Under the Panama Trade Promotion Agreement, US pork variety meats would receive immediate duty-free treatment, and the trade deal would expand market access for US pork muscle meat through tariff rate quotas.

In 15 years, when the agreement is fully implemented, US pork will have unlimited duty-free access to the Panamanian market.