The U.S. pork industry is urging the Trump administration to prioritize trade negotiations in Southeast Asia, with Vietnam topping the list, says Maria Zieba vice president of government affairs for the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC). Zieba spoke with RealAg Radio host Shaun Haney while in Washington, D.C, this week, sharing an overview of U.S. pork exports and highlighting the importance of trade deals.
“Vietnam imposes tariffs on U.S. pork while competitors like the EU and Russia enjoy zero duties,” Zieba says, as do those members of the CPTPP trade deal, which the U.S. backed out of in 2017. “We need full access and elimination of trade barriers to remain competitive,” she says.
Zieba also pointed to inconsistencies in domestic policy. Proposition 12, a California regulation on animal housing, continues to disrupt national pork supply chains. The NPPC is pressing for federal clarity through the upcoming Farm Bill, arguing the current patchwork of rules risks violating international trade agreements.
While domestic demand for pork remains strong, producers face tight margins and uncertainty. “What our farmers need most is stability — at home and in global markets,” she said.
Zieba added that U.S.-Mexico-Canada pork trade remains strong under USMCA and praised the region’s collaborative approach, especially on foreign animal disease prevention.
With more than $8.6 billion in pork exports in 2024, the stakes are high. “Diversification is key,” Zieba said. “We need to grow existing markets and open new ones.”
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