U.S. Meat Export Registrations Expire in China, Threatening Trade

Politics ARGENTINA, ASIA, BEIJING, BRAZIL, CARGILL MEAT SOLUTIONS, CHINA, COVID-19 IMPACT, GENERAL ADMINISTRATION OF CUSTOMS, INTERNATIONAL TRADE, INVESTMENTS, MEXICO, NORTH AMERICA, REGULATION, SOUTH AMERICA, SUPPLY CHAIN, TRADE, TYSON FOODS TSN, U. S, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, US, USDA Nia Simpson March 17, 2025

U.S. Meat Export Registrations Expire in China, Threatening Trade

More than 1,000 U.S. meat plant export registrations have expired in China, threatening exports worth around $5 billion. This lapse, affecting major producers, complicates U.S. access to the Chinese market amid ongoing tariff conflicts and potential violations of trade agreements.

The expiration of export registrations for over 1,000 U.S. meat plants, originally granted by China in accordance with the 2020 “Phase 1” trade agreement, poses significant challenges for U.S. meat exports, particularly with China being the largest importer. As reported by China’s General Administration of Customs, registrations for pork, beef, and poultry plants from major American producers such as Tyson Foods, Smithfield Packaged Meats, and Cargill Meat Solutions have transitioned from “effective” to “expired.” This alteration impacts approximately two-thirds of all registered facilities, potentially leading to substantial losses in the $5 billion trade sector and complicating access for U.S. farmers.

China mandates that all food exporters register with customs to participate in its market. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has indicated that China failed to respond to multiple requests to renew these plant registrations, which may breach the stipulations of the Phase 1 trade deal. Specifically, China is required to revise its list of approved plants within 20 days following updates from the USDA, a guideline which has not been adhered to.

Earlier in the year, registrations for 84 U.S. plants lapsed, and although shipments from these plants currently continue to clear customs, uncertainty remains regarding the duration of import allowances from China. Additionally, the situation is compounded by Beijing’s recent imposition of retaliatory tariffs on approximately $21 billion worth of American agricultural products, further exacerbating the tension between the two nations. In trade volume, the U.S. ranked as China’s third-largest meat supplier in 2024, representing 9% of total imports at 590,000 tons, behind Brazil and Argentina.

The lapse of registrations for numerous U.S. meat plants threatens American exports to China, the world’s largest meat importer. With a significant portion of the registrations expiring and the USDA’s attempts for renewal unanswered, this scenario could lead to substantial financial losses for U.S. farmers. The ongoing tariff disputes complicate matters further, reinforcing the need for resolution in U.S.-China trade relations.

Original Source: www.tradingview.com