Capital Update – For the Week Ending Nov. 7, 2025

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U.S., China Take Steps Toward Resolution of Long-Running Trade Dispute

What happened: Following pressure from NPPC and other agriculture groups, the Trump administration took steps to help resolve its monthslong trade dispute with China, with the two sides agreeing to lower or suspend tariffs on each other's goods and to work on a broader trade deal.

President Trump met last month with Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss trade matters, with Trump agreeing to lower existing duties on Chinese products from a combined 57% to 47%. Xi agreed to purchase substantial amounts of U.S. soybeans and other agricultural goods and not restrict rare earth minerals exports. Additionally, starting Nov. 10, China suspended tariffs of up to 15% on some U.S. agricultural imports, including a 10% duty on pork.

China has had retaliatory tariffs on U.S. products, including pork, since the first trade war between the two countries started in 2018. The tariffs on U.S. goods were in response to the administration' duties on Chinese goods, which were imposed because of China's steel and aluminum imports and violations of fair trade practices. As of 2024, U.S. pork exports to the Asian nation faced a 25% retaliatory tariff in addition to a most-favored-nation tariff rate of 12%.

NPPC's take: "In a win for U.S. agriculture and America's pork producers, China has suspended its retaliatory tariffs set in March," said NPPC President and Ohio pork producer Duane Stateler. "We are very pleased to see the Trump administration answer the widespread call of agriculture, including persistent requests from the National Pork Producers Council, to negotiate for tariff removal and allow business with China to return to a more market-driven norm unburdened by these costly taxes."

Why it matters: China was the No. 3 value market for U.S. pork in 2024, with the pork industry shipping more than $1.1 billion of product, or about 13% of its total exports, to the Asian country.

Pork Producers to Politicos: Fix Problems Posed by Prop. 12

What happened: Producers from some of the top pork-producing states were on Capitol Hill lobbying lawmakers to take action to address the problems caused by California Proposition 12.

Prop. 12 bans the sale in California of pork from hogs born to sows anywhere that are raised in housing that does not meet the state's arbitrary production standards. The initiative, which took effect Jan. 1, 2024, already has caused an increase in pork prices, falling hardest on lower-income families and working households.

Prop. 12 also set a dangerous precedent for a patchwork of state legislation and may have international trade implications. Under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, for example, states are not permitted to create non-tariff barriers to trade.

Producers from Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, and Ohio were in Washington, D.C., asking members of Congress to support efforts to undo Prop. 12 and preempt other states from passing similar laws. Several bills to do that have been introduced in the current Congress, including the "Save Our Bacon Act" (H.R. 4673) and the "Food Security and Farm Protection Act" (S. 1326), to address the problems caused by Prop. 12.

NPPC's take: NPPC, which has fought against California Prop. 12 over the past six years, including challenging it before the U.S. Supreme Court, is working with members of Congress on a solution to the problems created by the law and the emerging complex web of conflicting state laws that could negatively affect livestock production.

Why it matters: Pork producers across the country must comply with Prop. 12 or forgo selling into the massive California market.

Now, other states are proposing laws similar to Prop. 12 that, if approved, could force producers to navigate a fragmented, conflicting patchwork of regulations across the country.

Pork producers from across the country meet with House Agriculture Committee majority staff.

Illinois pork producer Chad Leman and Minnesota producer and NPPC board member John Anderson meet with Rep. Darin LaHood (R-IL).

Agriculture Groups Urge Caution on Making Changes to USMCA

What happened: In a letter submitted to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, NPPC and more than 125 other agriculture and food organizations extolled the benefits of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement to U.S. producers and urged USTR to be cautious when considering modifications to the trade deal. The United States, Canada, and Mexico are set to conduct a review of the trade agreement next July.

In separate comments, NPPC echoed the larger group's strong support for the USMCA, noting it has been "instrumental in ensuring long-term success" as shown by the nearly $2.6 billion of U.S. pork exported to Mexico and almost $853 million to Canada in 2024. That made those countries the No. 1 and No. 4 export markets, respectively, for the U.S. pork industry.

The agriculture and food organizations pointed out that the USMCA's provisions have facilitated and streamlined the flow of commerce throughout the three countries. The one on sanitary and phytosanitary measures, for example, increased regulatory transparency and ensured science-based treatment of agricultural commodities and products, while the USMCA chapter on dispute settlements has provided a mechanism for resolving barriers that otherwise would disrupt U.S. agriculture's export market stability and growth. Additionally, many U.S. agricultural commodities benefited from new or expanded market access in Canada and Mexico under the deal, so any changes "should be carefully considered," the organizations said.

The agreement also has helped integrate food and agriculture supply chains in North America, improving regional food security, particularly in rural areas, and further strengthening global competitiveness for food, energy, and industrial products that utilize agricultural inputs.

Why it matters: The agriculture and food groups have "benefited tremendously from the seamless North American integration" achieved under the USMCA. Agrifood trade among the three countries tripled in value, rising to $285 billion between 2005 and 2023, they pointed out. The United States is the largest trading partner for Canada and Mexico.

Maintaining a rules-based agreement with binding commitments protects the U.S. food and agriculture industry, the organizations said. Without the economic might the trilateral agreement affords, farmer incomes would be affected by additional and burdensome costs related to transportation and compliance measures, and without the certainty guaranteed by USMCA, U.S. agriculture would face unreliable markets and its global competitiveness would be weakened.

Brashears Closer to Becoming USDA Under Secretary for Food Safety

What happened: The nomination of Mindy Brashears to be Under Secretary for Food Safety in the U.S. Department of Agriculture last week was approved and advanced to the full Senate by the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

During questioning, Brashears told committee members that finalizing a USDA rule allowing packing plants to run faster processing line speeds is one of her top priorities. Brashears, who held the same post for the last 10 months of President Trump's first term in the White House, would oversee USDA's FSIS, which is responsible for regulatory oversight of meat, poultry, and processed egg products, ensuring they are safe, wholesome, accurately labeled, and correctly packaged. She also would serve as the chairperson of the U.N. Codex Alimentarius Commission's Policy Committee.

Currently, she is a professor of food safety and public health at Texas Tech University, where she earned a bachelor's degree in food technology. Brashears received master's and doctoral degrees in food science from Oklahoma State University.

NPPC's take: NPPC strongly supports the nomination of Brashears to be USDA's Under Secretary for Food Safety. In August, NPPC joined the Meat Institute, the National Chicken Council, and the National Turkey Federation on a letter to the Senate leadership, asking lawmakers to move her nomination to the full Senate for a confirmation vote.

Why it matters: The Under Secretary for Food Safety helps ensure the safety and wholesomeness of the U.S. meat and poultry supply. The department's Food Safety Inspection Service conducts inspections at federally-approved meat and poultry establishments and ensures that state-approved facilities - those that sell product only within a state - have standards at least equivalent to federal standards.

NPPC's Pittman Inducted into Virginia Livestock Hall of Fame

What happened: NPPC board member Dr. Jeremy Pittman recently was inducted into the Virginia Livestock Hall of Fame, joining a group of nearly 100 influential agricultural leaders.

As the top veterinary expert on NPPC's board of directors and chairman of NPPC's Animal Health and Food Safety Policy Committee, Pittman helps lead the organization in being an essential science-based resource on animal health and welfare issues.

Pittman is the senior director of U.S. Veterinary Services for Smithfield Hog Production and serves on Smithfield's Science and Technology Committee. For 19 years prior, he was staff veterinarian in the company's north region based in Virginia. He is also a diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners, an adjunct professor at the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, and serves on the board of directors for the Swine Health Information Center.

Pittman graduated from NCSU, where he earned his DVM as well as bachelor's degrees in zoology and animal science, with minors in nutrition and genetics. He earned a master's degree in veterinary preventative medicine from Iowa State University and completed the Executive Veterinary Program at the University of Illinois.

Why it matters: "Dr. Pittman's leadership of the U.S. swine sector's approach to animal welfare and health - on both the national and state level - is unmatched," said NPPC CEO Bryan Humphreys.

"Congratulations to Jeremy on earning this well-deserved spot in the Virginia Livestock Hall of Fame." Established in 2009, the Virginia Livestock Hall of Fame is sponsored by the Virginia Pork Council, Virginia Cattlemen's Association, Virginia State Dairymen's Association, Virginia Sheep Producers Association, and Virginia Horse Council.

Dr. Jeremy Pittman (second from left) with his wife and sons.

Applications for Pork Industry Scholarships Now Being Accepted

What happened: NPPC's National Pork Industry Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing research and education in the pork industry, has established the U.S. Pork Center of Excellence Swine Legacy Scholarship program.

Under the program, three endowed scholarships of $5,000 each will be awarded annually to two undergraduate students and one graduate or professional track student, pursuing studies in research, education, veterinary science, or related fields that support the swine industry. Applications for the 2026 scholarships now are being accepted.

NPIF created the scholarship program to honor USPCE and continue its efforts to shape future generations of pork industry leaders. For 20 years, the USPCE served as a vital public-private partnership that united academic expertise, valuable resources, and industry collaboration to strengthen the U.S. pork sector. Earlier this year, the USPCE board of directors voted to dissolve the organization and, through a competitive proposal process, selected NPIF to receive USPCE's remaining financial assets.

Why it matters: "Through this scholarship, we can carry forward [USPCE's] legacy by supporting students who will shape the future of pork production with the same dedication USPCE brought to the industry," said NPIF President Barb Determan. NPIF began taking applications for the 2026 USPCE scholarships last week; the deadline for submissions is December 1. Applicants must be third- or fourth-year undergraduates or current or accepted graduate or veterinary science students who are U.S. citizens pursuing careers in the pork industry.

Click here for eligibility requirements and to apply. For questions, contact Lucy Russell, NPPC director of producer engagement, at 515-864-7983 or [email protected]. To learn more about all the NPIF scholarships or make a contribution to the organization, click here.

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