International trade can be a “gold mine” for beef and pork producers as well as the grain growers they rely on for feed. However, U.S. red meat exports are challenged from lower domestic production and the rising value of the U.S. dollar. In this week’s Open Mic in-depth interview, Philip Seng, President and CEO of the US Meat Export Federation, says the value, quality and consistency of the US product has helped the industry maintain and expand its place in the globe – despite tough competition from places like Australia and the European Union. Seng says over the next decade Asia will be home to 65 percent of the world’s middle class and that’s another reason to concentrate on global trade deals like the Trans Pacific Partnership.Agri-Pulse staffPhilip Seng, Pres. and CEO USMEF