Voice of the Community

Chinese And Canadian Tariffs Will Impact Meat Prices

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TARIFF ON TEXAS BEEF:    U.S. beef is being hit with retaliatory tariffs by Canada and China, which will raise prices to importers and send them shopping elsewhere.  It’s all in retaliation to the Trump administrations tariffs against China and Canada.   So how will this affect Texas Beef industry?   Well Texas doesn’t actually export much beef to China. That’s because US beef was banned there until just  last year.  But the tariffs may still mean cheaper steaks and burgers here at home, it’s all because of a different meat: pork.   Here’s how: the Chinese eat a lot of US Pork.  It too, is facing tariffs. That will trap more pork here in the US driving its price down.   Texas A&M Livestock Economist David Anderson explains how it will impact prices at the supermarket.

David Anderson , Texas A&M Livestock Economist
Credit Courtesy: Texas A&M Agrilife

So as consumer we look at pork and ‘oh man that’s a good deal!’ so if we chose pork instead of a relatively expensive beef or a relatively expensive chicken. Those prices react too by coming down.” 

So  it’s  Good  news  if  you eat a lot of meat.  Bad  news  if  you  grow   and  sell  livestock.  Experts agree if  tariffs continue,  prices will eventually rise  as  producers  sell  off  livestock  that  may  have  been  intended for the Chinese  market.                

PRICE WAR? - As export tariffs mount, prices could lower on pork, chicken, and beef as a result for the short term.
Credit Courtesy: USDA Creative Commons

And as far as states to be most affected by Chinese Tariffs – A recent report from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce reveals that Washington State and Louisiana are the top two states  hurt by tariffs  it’s estimated that one in five jobs is export business related.

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Chuck Smith brings more than 30 years' broadcast and media experience to Red River Radio. He began his career as a radio news reporter and transitioned to television journalism and newsmagazine production. Chuck studied mass communications at Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia and motion picture / television production at the University of California at Los Angeles. He has also taught writing for television at York Technical College in Rock Hill, South Carolina and video / film production at Centenary College of Louisiana, Shreveport.