On the one hand, traders are happy about China. On the other hand, farmers are rather displeased because of Donald Trump’s decision about Brazilian meat. In other words, the good news, for US raw hides and skins, comes from the far end of the world. In fact, China decided to suspend customs duties formerly imposed on the imports of raw hides from the United States. Yet, on the contrary, the bad news comes from the US government itself. The livestock and farming industry players are very angry: Trump decided to cancel the ban previously imposed on fresh bovine meat imported from Brazil.
Traders are happy about China
The Chinese government announced they are going to suspend customs duties on 696 commodities imported from the United States. Such decision is part of the first phase of the new economic agreement the two countries are settling on. Raw bovine hides are included in the above-mentioned list of products, as established by Chinese Minister of Finance Liu Kun. More specifically, exemptions will concern animals’ skins whose weight exceeds 16 kilos. Looking at information, provided by the Leather and Hide Council of America (LHCA), China is still the most important end market for the United States.
Disappointed in Donald Trump
As reported by globalmeatnews.com, Brooke Miller, president of the United States Cattlemen’s Association, expressed his “dismay” when he was informed about the decision made by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). “Such decision is going to jeopardize the welfare of our cattle livestock and will undermine consumers’ safety – pointed out Miller –. We are still rather concerned. We cannot believe that food and manufacturing security standards, set by that country, can be compared to the ones adopted by American industry”. That is why Miller announced that the association is going to take into consideration “all suitable options to stop immediately imports of Brazilian bovine meat”. Kent Bacus, chief manager of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, spoke out likewise. Bacus stressed the fact that “the association expects Department of Agriculture and customs officers to carry out and implement extremely high control standards”.
Picture taken from Wikipedia
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