Chinese Tariffs Halt U.S. Pork, Beef Exports, Threatening Billions in Losses

Retaliatory tariffs imposed by China have effectively halted U.S. beef and pork exports, inflicting significant financial risks on American meat producers, with the U.S. Meat Export Federation estimating annual losses that could reach billions of dollars. The current tariff rate on U.S. pork is 172% and 147% for beef, making exports uncompetitive and forcing companies like Smithfield Foods to pivot toward alternative international markets. On top of tariffs, non-tariff barriers—such as China’s refusal to renew export registrations for around 400 U.S. beef plants and nine pork facilities—further restrict access, despite the industry’s efforts to educate the U.S. administration and seek restoration of trade commitments under the Phase One agreement. Smithfield, which historically exported specialty pork products to China, confirmed that selling to China is no longer viable, but expressed optimism about finding demand for these products in other export markets. The company, while maintaining growth in overall sales, acknowledged that redirected exports could increase domestic supply and potentially depress prices. These developments reflect ongoing trade tensions and broader shifts in global agricultural markets, as U.S. producers adapt to both tariff and non-tariff barriers in China and other countries.