President Biden’s second State of the Union (SOTU) address concluded on Tuesday evening with Biden underscoring many ag objectives, including the administrations intention to remove unfair trade barriers.
“For too many decades, we imported products and exported jobs. Now, thanks to what you’ve all done, we’re exporting American products and creating American jobs,” Biden said in the address.
Read more: SHIP IT Act Could Save Truck Drivers Up to $10,000 and Cover CDL Costs
While U.S. exports did reach a record high in 2022 at $2 trillion, the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis says imports also hit a new record of $3.3 trillion.
Industry Responds
NPPC supports Biden’s trade devotion, saying open trade and investment policies have made U.S. pork more competitive across the globe.
“Last year alone, the U.S. exported nearly $7.7 billion in U.S. pork and pork products to over 100 countries,” NPPC said in a press release. “America’s pork producers stand ready to back government efforts to maintain, diversify, and expand additional export markets for U.S. ag.”
Ag Trade Surplus in January
The news comes as the U.S. exported $17.03 billion of ag goods in December against imports of $15.80 billion for trade surplus of $1.24 billion, down slightly from November’s surplus of $1.44 billion.
Read more: U.S. Breeding Herd Shows Early Signs of Herd Growth
Through the first three months of fiscal year 2023, U.S. ag exports stood at $52.04 billion against imports of $48.94 billion for a surplus of $3.1 billion.
