Congress approves normal trade with China The House of Representatives voted on July 27 in favor of granting China Normal Trading Relations status for another year. When negotiations were suspended, China had agreed to lower its tariffs on U.S. pork from a high of 43 percent to just 12 percent after it becomes a WTO member. Nevertheless, the actions effectively eliminate importation of several important EU pork items to the United States and have caused significant disruption in European country pork trade. Pork products once destined for the United States now seek to displace products from other EU-member countries. It is uncertain if the smaller slaughter marketings in the last few weeks are due to hot weather and reduced rates of gain or due to fewer numbers available for market, according to Glenn Grimes, NPPC market consultant.
Retail demand continues to hold well.
For the first six months of 1999, pork demand was up 2 to 3 percent compared to '98. However, pork trade to Japan is up more than 7 percent over last year.