WASHINGTON, DC – The Meat Institute today applauded President Trump’s negotiations to delay tariffs on Canada and Mexico, critical markets for the U.S. meat and poultry industry.

“The North American integrated meat and poultry supply chain, made possible by President Trump’s USMCA, produces the highest quality meat products in the world,” said Meat Institute President and CEO Julie Anna Potts. “The US exported $5.3 billion of meat and poultry products to Mexico and $2.28 billion to Canada in 2024. These are real dollars for livestock producers and the US economy. We appreciate President Trump’s negotiations with Mexico and Canada to keep these key markets open and prevent possible price hikes for consumers.”

President Trump announced on social media he will suspend tariffs on USMCA-compliant imports from Mexico and Canada until April 2, 2025. Later in the day he extended the suspension to goods from Canada too. This decision exempts meat, poultry, and live animal imports from Mexico and Canada from the 25 percent tariff.

About the Meat Institute

The Meat Institute represents the full community of people and companies who make the majority of meat American families rely on every day. The Meat Institute’s hands-on regulatory and technical expertise, proactive advocacy, unique convening power, collaboration within and beyond animal agriculture, and sector-leading continuous improvement initiatives drive relationships and resources that ensure meat continues to be a vital, trusted pillar of healthy diets and thriving communities for generations to come. To learn more, visit: MeatInstitute.org.