A new study commissioned by a coalition of agriculture and export groups warns that proposed U.S. port fees targeting Chinese-built or operated cargo ships could deliver a heavy blow to American meat exports, including pork.
The recommendations, currently under review by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), propose multi-million-dollar fees on vessels connected to China in an effort to bolster U.S. shipbuilding. But according to the study, such measures would backfire—raising transportation costs, reducing global competitiveness, and harming U.S. agriculture in the process.
3% to 6% Pork Export Hit Expected
The research, conducted by Trade Partnership Worldwide LLC, projects pork and poultry exports could drop by as much as 6% if the most severe version of the policy is enacted. Beef exports would be hit even harder, potentially falling by up to 8.25%.
The U.S. pork industry exports 25% of its production annually. Losing even a fraction of that share due to higher shipping costs would have a serious impact on producers, processors, and rural economies that depend on international trade.
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