The closure of the Chinese market would lead to losses of US$4 billion for US beef
The combined tariffs and standard tariffs on U.S. beef imports into China reached 147%. Added to this is the fact that Beijing has not renewed the licensing of hundreds of U.S. meatpacking plants.
The federation's vice president, Erin Borror, said in a weekly report that it is difficult to find markets that can replace the Chinese market. She added that China buys high-value products that other countries would not be willing to pay for.
U.S. beef exports totaled 98,198 mt in February, down 5.5% from a year ago, while value declined 4% to just over $800 million. January-February shipments were 1% below last year’s pace at 201,038 mt, but value increased 1% to $1.6 billion.
Beef exports to China/Hong Kong trended lower in February, falling 15% from a year ago to 15,415 mt, valued at $135.5 million (down 19%). Because of a strong January performance, exports through February were still 5% above last year at 34,173 mt, though value fell slightly to $298.5 million. U.S. beef’s primary competitor in China – grain-fed beef from Australia – enjoys duty-free access under a bilateral trade agreement. New Zealand beef is also duty-free, while most other suppliers are tariffed at 12%.
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