U.S. Meat Trade with China Faces Major Setback

Tariffs and Facility Bans Halt U.S. Beef and Pork Exports

The ongoing trade dispute between China and the United States has significantly disrupted the red meat market. No changes have been made to the increased tariffs, despite discussions hinting at easing tensions.

Currently, China’s tariffs stand at 172% for U.S. pork and pork variety meat, and 147% for beef and beef variety meat. These high rates have essentially brought trade to a standstill.

Erin Borror, vice president of economic analysis at the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), in a recent podcast shared that "China being absent from the market puts more than $150 per fed steer or heifer at risk."

The pork industry, particularly reliant on China for variety meats, faces losses of $8 to $10 per head in export value. This trade disruption highlights China's significant role in U.S. agricultural exports, a role not easily replaced by other markets.

Adding to the challenges, China's failure to renew the registrations for 400 U.S. beef facilities has made much of American beef production ineligible for export.

While registrations for most pork facilities were renewed in March, nine facilities are still waiting for renewal after April 20, further restricting trade opportunities.

The USMEF continues working to expand market access and lessen the industry's dependence on China, but the impacts of the current tariffs are being deeply felt across the sector.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-luoman