The next round of World Trade Organization negotiations begins next week in Hong Kong. Gregg Doud, chief economist for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, will be at the meetings representing the interests of America’s cattle producers.

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Doud says significant tariff reductions are needed in order to give U.S. beef a fair opportunity to compete in overseas markets.

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He said U.S. negotiators have a tough task due to resistance from protectionist nations, especially those comprising the European Union.

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In fact, Doud said, delay tactics by these nations threaten to undermine the Hong Kong meetings.

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Doud emphasized that the benefits to the U.S. beef industry from this round of negotiations will not come to fruition for some time. But, he said, cattlemen should view these meetings as an investment in their long-term future.   

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