Trade Disruptions By Potential NAFTA Renegotiations Could Leave Meat Export Business Vulnerable

By Dr. Derrell Peel,

Oklahoma State University Extension Livestock Market Economist

When it comes to the Mexican cattle market, there is no other person more knowledgeable on the subject this side of the Rio Grande, then Oklahoma State University Extension Livestock Market Economist Dr. Derrell Peel. Radio Oklahoma Ag Network Farm Director Ron Hays reached out to Dr. Peel for his take on the new administration’s insistence to renegotiate the North Atlantic Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA. Bottom line - there’s not much advantage to changing up the treaty when it comes to the US beef industry, says Peel.

“I think meat industries in general and the beef industry perhaps in particular, is somewhat nervous about the idea of any disruptions or changes in the trade relationship we have right now,” Peel said. “NAFTA has been a pretty good deal for the meat industry, so I think there is relatively little room for improvement.”