U.S. beef exporters are intensifying efforts to regain access to the Chinese market before the scheduled summit between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. More than 400 American beef processing plants have lost export eligibility due to expired Chinese licenses, blocking a majority of U.S. beef shipments to China over the past year.
At its peak in 2022, U.S. beef exports to China reached a value of $1.7 billion. However, Chinese customs data reveals that around 65% of approved U.S. beef plants lost their registration, effectively sidelining significant volumes of American beef from entering China. Industry groups such as the United States Cattlemen’s Association and the U.S. Meat Export Federation criticize the lack of clarity from China, which has not renewed these licenses despite obligations outlined in the 2020 Phase One trade agreement.
American cattle producers are urging the White House to prioritize this issue in the upcoming high-level discussions. Officials have reportedly confirmed that the topic will be addressed during the summit, fueling hopes for progress in agricultural trade relations. Still, analysts caution that even if export licenses are reinstated, several barriers remain.
U.S. beef faces tariffs in China that exceed those on competing Australian beef by 10 percentage points, diminishing its competitiveness in the Chinese market. Additionally, China implemented a beef import quota system with a steep 55% tariff on shipments that exceed quota limits. These trade protections reflect China’s growing focus on developing its domestic beef industry and reducing reliance on imported premium beef.
Experts suggest that while restoring export licenses could mark a notable step, China may use these negotiations primarily as leverage within broader trade discussions with the United States. Thus, any immediate increase in U.S. beef exports to China might be limited by tariff disparities and evolving Chinese import policies.