Trump’s tariffs worry pork producers in Asia and North America
Thailand’s pig farmers alarmed at duty-free US pork imports, while concerns grow in North America over a free trade agreement renewal.
Thailand has made a tentative trade deal with the US which is expected to have a large negative effect on pork production in the Asian country. Thai citizens consume a lot of pork, with the pork market there reaching US $3 billion each year.
As reported by Al Jazeera, the US government recently sent a letter requesting that the Thai government allow 10,000 US products (including pork) to enter Thailand with no duty applied. This would reduce a US $45.5 billion trade deficit with Thailand, “an imbalance president Donald Trump says unfairly disadvantages US producers.”
The US is also requesting that Thailand “address and prevent barriers to US food and agricultural products” and “expedite access” for US meat products. In addition, the US has set a tariff rate of 19% for Thai imports to the US.
Thai worries over pricing
The development has caused great concern within Thailand’s pig farming industry, which cannot withstand a flood of cheap US pork, according to Worawut Siripun, deputy secretary-general of the Swine Raisers Association of Thailand.
“Producers will not be able to survive and will stop raising pigs,” Worawut told Al Jazeera. “Those who grow feed crops are also affected, as well as animal feed traders, animal feed producers and veterinary drug sellers. Everyone in the production cycle is impacted.”
Using tariffs for a political angle
At the same time, Thai politicians have expressed concern that tariffs are being used by president Trump as a pressure tactic to force Thailand to start peace talks with Cambodia.
Hostilities between the 2 countries started up again on 8 December, after weeks of simmering tensions, killing at least 12 people and forcing hundreds of thousands to flee border areas, with both Southeast Asian nations accusing the other of firing the first shots.
Cusma: Consequences for Canadian pig farmers
Meanwhile in North America, renewal of the Canada-US-Mexico free trade agreement (Cusma) in July 2026 is causing great concern among Canadian pig farmers.
Paul Marchand, a senior risk management analyst with HAMS Marketing Services, has recently stated that “a levy or a tariff attached to pork after the renegotiation” is expected.
Manitoba Pork also recently expressed concerns. The organisation stated that “while we must look to diversify our markets, we cannot replace the US as a destination. Manitoba ships over 3 million live pigs to be finished in the US every year… If we lose the protection [of Cusma]… these animals would have no alternative markets and communities across our province would feel the economic impact.”
