The USA Poultry & Egg Export Council (USAPEEC) welcomed the signing of the U.S.-Taiwan Agreement on Reciprocal Trade, which promises more stable trade relations with a key trading partner and significant market access improvements for American producers.
The agreement will reduce regionalization restrictions Taiwan imposes following findings of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in the United States to the county level where affected premises are located, instead of the state level, significantly limiting trade disruptions.
Additionally, the agreement eliminates tariffs on turkey and egg product imports from the United States and reduces tariffs on U.S. duck imports to 10% from 30%. Tariffs on U.S. chicken will remain at 20%.
"This is a big win for our industry," said USAPEEC President & CEO Greg Tyler. "Adopting county-level regionalization ensures a more science-based approach to HPAI and minimizes unnecessary trade disruptions, while the tariff eliminations and reductions create new opportunities for U.S. producers."
The agreement also delivers substantial benefits for the U.S. pork industry, culminating the National Pork Producers Council's 15-plus year effort to secure greater market access in Taiwan.
The deal cuts tariffs on U.S. pork exports by half and eliminates import licensing procedures that restrict U.S. imports, along with facility and product registration requirements. Taiwan will follow maximum residue levels set by the Codex Alimentarius Commission for ractopamine in pork and will end 100% batch-by-batch inspection for ractopamine residues.
The agreement also requires Taiwan to accept U.S. pork exports from all plants listed in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Meat and Poultry Inspection Directory without requiring audits before exporting. Within six months, Taiwan must recognize the African swine fever protection zone established by the United States.
"Our 15-plus year endeavor to break down trade barriers in the high-value market of Taiwan has paid off," said NPPC President Duane Stateler, a pork producer from McComb, Ohio. "This means more U.S. pork on international tables and more opportunities and prosperity for American producers."
Both organizations thanked the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and the presidential administration for their efforts in reaching the beneficial agreement.
