U.S. Beef Seeing New Opportunities for Chinese Trade

DENVER, CO – With the signing of the Phase One trade agreement with China, access for U.S. beef has expanded significantly. Joel Haggard with the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) explains that many more U.S. facilities are now eligible to export beef to China, and exports are no longer limited to beef from cattle less than 30 months of age. China is also adopting international standards for growth hormones commonly used in beef production, rather than enforcing a zero-tolerance policy. China is also allowing importers to apply for relief from retaliatory duties on U.S. beef. When successful, this process can lower the effective tariff rate on U.S. beef entering China from 42 percent down to 12 percent.