President Trump’s recent meeting with Chinese President Xi dropped the current tariff rate for inbound pork 10% allowing business to continue. Beef exports to China have issues bigger than tariffs.

“Since April, virtually all our plants, 400+ establishments between slaughter establishments and cold storages, have not been relisted for China,” stated Dan Halstrom, President of the U.S. Meat Export Federation.

“It’s not demand related. Demand was fantastic last year, $1.6 billion in sales on US beef to China. Our largest customers are still demanding it today. They’re ready to start tomorrow as soon as plants are relisted. The demand for US beef and pork, but in this case beef, is good in the rest of the world, very good. In fact, record breaking in some places so when you think about the record pricing earlier this year and the demand still being good in a lot of these markets, I think we’re in a very good place.”

Both USTR and USDA are aware of the issues and working to come to a solution. Halstrom sees opportunities with both the United Kingdom and the European Union for accessible markets. At the same time, progress is being made with Indonesia allowing some sales to happen.

“Were the gold standard in food safety. If you see a USDA establishment number of xyz as the example in any market around the world, that in itself is the selling point.”

U.S. meats continue to be the preferred meat around the world. Halstrom and USMEF are looking to tackle these restriction issues around the globe.