Trade agreements benefit pork farmers

Preserving the benefits of existing free-trade agreements and opening negotiations to establish new agreements with Japan, Vietnam, the Philippines and other countries is critical to the prosperity of Ohio’s pork farmers, and the economy. Yet the future of U.S trade policy — and U.S pork farms — remain uncertain under the Trump administration.

According to the National Pork Producers Council, in 2016 Ohio’s pork exports generated $121 million in economic activity for the state, $92 million in personal income and 2,414 jobs for Ohioans. As the industry is growing in the state, so is the opportunity to generate more income for the economy; but not without free trade agreements.

The Trump administration’s threat to withdraw from NAFTA and the United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement will cost pork farmers millions of dollars, causing severe financial harm for the farmers, and the economy.

We must call on the Trump administration to remain in both NAFTA and KORUS and continue working toward new agreements. There’s a lot at stake that our economy cannot afford to lose.

Matt Bell Zanesville