A recent move to expand pork and beef access to China will benefit U.S. producers and exporters, according to the U.S. Meat Export Federation. 

The Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service recently updated its Export Library for China to reflect expanded access for U.S. beef and pork. 

The changes were among the provisions negotiated in the U.S.-China Phase One trade agreement. 

U.S. Meat Export Federation President and CEO Dan Halstrom says with much broader access for U.S. beef, “the U.S. industry is well-positioned to expand its presence in the largest and fastest-growing beef market in the world.” 

U.S. pork and beef still face retaliatory duties in China, but a tariff exclusion process implemented by the Chinese government earlier this month is providing some level of relief. 

USMEF states that while elimination of all retaliatory duties is still the best way for China to level the playing field for U.S. red meat, the exclusion process is expanding opportunities for importers and the U.S. industry.