Mexico answers US tariffs with its own on products including pork bellies, grapes, apples and flat steel.</s>Mexico answers US tariffs with its own on products including pork bellies, grapes, apples and flat steel.

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico answers US tariffs with its own on products including pork bellies, grapes, apples and flat steel.</s>MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexico hit back fast on U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum on Thursday, targeting products from congressional districts that President Donald Trump’s Republican party is fighting to retain in November elections.

FILE PHOTO: U.S. Presidential nomineeDonald Trump walks past a Mexican flag after giving a press conference with Mexico's President Enrique Pena Nieto at the Los Pinos residence in Mexico City, Mexico, August 31, 2016. REUTERS/Henry Romero

Economy Minister Ildefonso Guajardo said the tit-for-tat measures would complicate talks between the United States, Canada and Mexico to revamp the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) that underpins trade between the neighbors.

The spat meant it would be “very difficult” to reach a deal to revamp NAFTA before Mexico’s July 1 presidential election, though he underlined the continent had not entered a trade war.

“A trade war is when there is an escalation of conflict. In this case, it is simply a response to a first action,” Guajardo told Mexican radio.

“We should stick to the clearly defined battlefield, where the response is appropriate and proportional.”

Mexico’s retaliatory tariffs target pork legs, apples, grapes and cheeses as well as steel - products from U.S. heartland states that supported Trump in the 2016 election.

The country reacted right after Washington said in the morning it was moving ahead with tariffs on aluminum and steel imports from Canada, Mexico and the European Union.

“It sends a clear message that this kind of thing does not benefit anybody,” Guajardo said of the Mexican retaliation.

“Because, in the end, the effect will fall on voters and citizens that live in districts where the people have a voice and vote in the (U.S.) Congress.”

Mexico said it was imposing “equivalent” tariffs, ratcheting up tensions during talks to renegotiate NAFTA ahead of the U.S. mid-term elections in November. The measures will be in place until the U.S. government drops its tariffs, Mexico’s government said.

MEXICO WITH THE WORLD

Guajardo said retaliation was aimed at products chosen to hit districts with important lawmakers who had been warning Trump not to mess with Mexico. He estimated the U.S. tariffs would affect $4 billion in trade between the two countries.

“It is a sad day for international trade,” Guajardo said. “But hey, the decision was made, and we always said that we were going to be ready to react.”

In 2011, Mexico successfully used a similar list of mostly agricultural products to push Washington into letting Mexican truckers on U.S. highways.

Trump’s Republicans are fighting to retain control of Congress in mid-term elections. Their majority in the House of Representatives is seen as vulnerable.

Pork exporter Iowa, where incumbent Republican Rod Blum faces a Democratic challenge, is an example of a place Mexico’s reaction could hurt.

Mexico buys more steel and aluminum from the United States than it sells. It is the top buyer of U.S. aluminum and the second-biggest buyer of U.S. steel, Guajardo’s ministry said.

The countermeasures will hit U.S. hot and cold rolled steel, plated steel and tubes, the ministry said.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto spoke by phone after the U.S. announcement. Canada pledged to fight back with its own measures.

Trump threatened to rip up the NAFTA deal during his election campaign but agreed to renegotiate early in his term. Still, since talks began nine months ago, he has repeatedly said he could walk away from NAFTA if it is not redone to his liking.

“The difference between a year and four, five months ago is that it seems the world looked and said ‘poor Mexico,” Guajardo said. “Now, Mexico is facing these threats together with the world.”</s>Mexico answers US tariffs with its own on products including pork bellies, grapes, apples and flat steel.

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico answers US tariffs with its own on products including pork bellies, grapes, apples and flat steel.</s>Mexico answers US tariffs with its own on products including pork bellies, grapes, apples and flat steel.

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico answers US tariffs with its own on products including pork bellies, grapes, apples and flat steel.</s>MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico answers US tariffs with its own on products including pork bellies, grapes, apples and flat steel.</s>The Oklahoma Pork Council estimates that just over 12,000 people work in the pork industry in the state, most of them in rural Oklahoma.

The Oklahoma Pork Council estimates that just over 12,000 people work in the pork industry in the state, most of them in rural Oklahoma. Now, they're sitting in the crosshairs of retaliatory measures.

Pork industry officials say this is a big deal, because, increasingly, the industry is relying more on exports; 27 percent of pork produced in Oklahoma and across the country is now exported.

Mexico is our number one export market for pork. Thursday, Mexico announced that in retaliation for our tariffs on steel aluminum, they would put tariffs on U.S. pork, among other things.

China is our number three pork market. They also announced retaliatory tariffs on U.S. pork.

Since March, when President Trump first floated the idea of these tariffs, officials say the pork industry has lost $2.2 billion on an annualized basis. That means fewer dollars being pumped into rural Oklahoma.

The head of the National Pork Producers Council put out a statement calling for an end to these trade disputes.</s>A new research study conducted by the National Pork Board shows that Latinos and African Americans enjoy eating ribs and pork chops during grilling season. The study shows Hispanics and African Americans are more likely to consume pork chops and ribs during grilling season than any other demographic.

With the insight that Hispanics and African Americans prefer grilling pork over other proteins, The National Pork Board will reach this growing demographic via influencer partnerships who will create original, flavorful and relevant pork recipes for consumers to enjoy at home.

"Hispanics and African Americans love pork and the research we conducted validates that," said Jose de Jesus, director of multicultural marketing at The National Pork Board. "We also learned that in general shoppers statistically spend more in-store when ribs and pork chops are in their baskets."

According to Nielsen, which conducted the study for the National Pork Board, the shopping cart is worth $121.47 when pork chops and ribs are in the basket vs $32.54 when they are not. "When retailers feature pork chops and ribs during grilling season consumers spend more money at their stores," de Jesus said. "For retailers across the nation, this is incredibly valuable information."

This grilling season, The National Pork Board will be focusing on two important benefits of pork -- flavor and health. Pork is a protein that cooks quickly, does not require much seasoning to make it delicious, and pairs well with your favorite side dishes. Studies show pork is low on calories and high in nutrients, making it the ideal and smart choice when choosing a protein for grilling. Roasting pork or grilling is a healthier alternative that does not add fat to the protein.

In addition to delicious flavor, pork also holds numerous health benefits. Eight cuts of pork -- from tenderloin and sirloin pork chop to ribeye pork chop – meet the United States Department of Agriculture guidelines for lean. The pork industry has made positive adjustments in feeding and management practices to make pork leaner. Seven of the most common cuts of pork have, on average, 16% less fat and 27% less saturated fat than 20 years ago. Pork also has numerous nutrients that can improve overall health by adding a 3-ounce serving of roasted, trimmed pork tenderloin to your diet, which is an excellent source of B-vitamins and selenium.[1]

In addition to delicious flavor, pork is a lean, naturally nutrient-rich source of protein that is familiar and accessible to many consumers. Fresh pork is more than just a good source of protein; it also provides several vitamins and minerals including thiamin, phosphorus, zinc, selenium, niacin, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12. Today's most popular cuts have 16 percent less total fat and 27 percent less saturated fat than they did 26 years ago. Cuts of pork that come from the loin – including chops, roasts and 96 percent lean ground pork – are the leanest cuts of pork available.

"Consumers can enjoy eight cuts of pork that have less fat than a skinless chicken thigh. The popular pork tenderloin has the same amount of fat as a skinless chicken breast," de Jesus said.

For more information about the campaign and to find expert tips, and new healthy and flavorful recipes, please visit PorkEsSabor.com and follow along on social media at @PorkEsSabor on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Join the conversation using #PorkEsSabor.

About National Pork Board 

The National Pork Board has responsibility for Checkoff-funded research, promotion and consumer information projects and for communicating with pork producers and the public. Through a legislative national Pork Checkoff, pork producers invest $0.40 for each $100 value of hogs sold. Importers of pork products contribute a like amount, based on a formula. The Pork Checkoff funds national and state programs in advertising, consumer information, retail and foodservice marketing, export market promotion, production improvement, technology, swine health, pork safety and environmental management. For more information, visit Pork.org.

PorkEsSabor.com is a Spanish resource of pork information and inspiration, including easy-to-make and delicious recipes, nutritional content of pork, choice cuts, health and safety information and cooking tips.

[1] U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service (2010). USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 23. Accessed July 5, 2012 from http://www.ars.usda.gov/ba/bhnrc/ndl
Mexico retaliates with equivalent levies on pork legs, apples, grapes, cheeses and steel. The Secretariat of Economy says that the measures will be in place until the U.S. eliminates their new tariffs.