USMEF: Halstrom’s Testimony Emphasizes Urgency of U.S.-Japan Trade Negotiations
Halstrom to Testify on Japan Trade Agreement 12-10-18
TRANSCRIPT: On Dec. 10, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) opens a public hearing in preparation for its upcoming trade agreement negotiations with Japan. Among those testifying at the hearing is U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) President and CEO Dan Halstrom.
Halstrom notes that Japan is the largest value destination for both U.S. beef and pork, with combined exports of more than $3.5 billion per year. But the Japanese red meat market is intensely competitive, and several exporting countries are set to make major market access gains in Japan through the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the economic partnership agreement (EPA) between Japan and the European Union. CPTPP will enter into force Dec. 30, while the Japan-EU EPA is expected to take effect early next year.
Japan’s 38.5 percent tariff on imported beef is among the highest in the world, and Australian beef is already subject to lower rates through a free trade agreement that took effect in 2015. Australian beef will gain even more tariff relief in Japan through CPTPP, as will beef from Canada, New Zealand and Mexico. Pork from the EU, Canada, Chile and Mexico will also gain a significant advantage the Japan-EU EPA and CPTPP. As Halstrom explains, ground seasoned pork is just one product category for which U.S. market share is at risk.
USMEF also submitted written comments to USTR in this proceeding, and all comments submitted are posted online. More details are also available in this Federal Register notice.
About Dan Halstrom
President and CEO, Denver, Colorado
As USMEF president and CEO, Dan Halstrom oversees and coordinates programs and activities in 18 regions around the world. Halstrom works to ensure that the federation creates new opportunities and develops existing international markets for U.S. beef, pork, lamb and veal. Dan also oversees USMEF’s relations with its membership and the industry and works closely with all nine sectors of the federation.
Dan joined USMEF in 2010 after 27 years in the meat industry with Swift & Company, originally based in Chicago (now doing business as JBS based in Greeley, Colorado). As USMEF senior vice president of marketing, Dan was responsible for coordination of programs facilitating the marketing of U.S. beef, pork, and lamb. In addition, Dan oversaw industry relations and membership activities for USMEF. Dan assumed the role of USMEF president in September 2017 and became president and CEO on December 1, 2017. He is an ex officio member of the USMEF Executive Committee.
Dan began his role at Swift as a management trainee, and spent several years at the plant level before moving into commercial sales and eventually into international sales where he spent most of his career. As senior vice president of the international division for Swift/JBS (2000-2010), he oversaw global beef and pork operations for the world’s largest red meat company.
Dan was also an active member of USMEF for many years, including various volunteer positions and officer roles with the USMEF Executive Committee from 2005-2007, which culminated as Chairman in 2008.
A graduate of the University of Iowa, Dan was born and raised near Cherokee, Iowa, on a 1,000-acre grain farm with a 3,000-head cattle backgrounding operation.
The U.S. Meat Export Federation (www.USMEF.org) is the trade association responsible for developing international markets for the U.S. red meat industry. It is funded by USDA; the beef, pork, lamb, corn and soybean checkoff programs, as well as its members representing nine industry sectors: beef/veal producing & feeding, pork producing & feeding, lamb producing & feeding, packing & processing, purveying & trading, oilseeds producing, feedgrains producing, farm organizations and supply & service organizations.
Written, recorded and submitted to The BARN by:
Joe Schuele
Vice President, Communications
U.S. Meat Export Federation
303-226-7309 (office)
303-547-0030 (mobile)