ARLINGTON, VA — Following the announcement that beef and pork were included in the list of goods qualifying for better trade treatment as a result of ongoing negotiations with China, the Meat Institute released the following statement:

“The Meat Institute is appreciative of Ambassador Greer’s ongoing efforts to secure greater access to Chinese markets for US pork and beef,” said Meat Institute President and CEO Julie Anna Potts. “It was great to see the inclusion of beef and pork on the list of non-sensitive goods, which will set the foundation for addressing persistently high retaliatory tariffs and trade-limiting non-tariff barriers on U.S. meat exports. This was one of the Meat Institute’s requests, and we thank the Trump Administration for its dedication to securing more favorable access for our exports. While we know these negotiations take time, we are confident Ambassador Greer and Ambassador Callahan will continue to work on the remaining, highly technical non-tariff barriers which continue to hinder access to China.

“The Chinese market is especially important for the beef supply chain. China is a key market for U.S. beef variety meats and offal – products that find little consumer demand in the U.S. and strong prices in China. These U.S. beef exports to China support higher carcass values and reduce price pressure on domestic cuts, contributing to more stable beef prices for American consumers. Strong export demand drives higher carcass value, which encourages cattle producers in the U.S. to rebuild the herd.

“We are particularly encouraged by the announcement of a technical agricultural working group established under the Board of Trade. We look forward to continuing to work with the Trump Administration to ensure that outstanding issues impeding beef trade to China, including ongoing plant suspensions that violate the spirit of the Phase One Agreement, be addressed when this working group meets later this year.”

Background 

Several U.S. beef plants were delisted after first-offense detections of ractopamine or melengestrol acetate (MGA), contrary to the Phase One Agreement. The Meat Institute has called for China to align its ractopamine policy with the Agreement and implement a clear, transparent, and enforceable process to prevent plants suspended for MGA or ractopamine findings from being barred indefinitely.

About the Meat Institute

The Meat Institute represents the full community of people and companies who make the majority of meat American families rely on every day. The Meat Institute’s hands-on regulatory and technical expertise, proactive advocacy, unique convening power, collaboration within and beyond animal agriculture, and sector-leading continuous improvement initiatives drive relationships and resources that ensure meat continues to be a vital, trusted pillar of healthy diets and thriving communities for generations to come. To learn more, visit: MeatInstitute.org.