Chinese tariffs halt US red meat exports, threatening billions in losses

China’s retaliatory tariffs have effectively halted U.S. beef and pork exports, creating serious financial risks for the meat industry, according to the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF).

Erin Borror, USMEF’s vice president of economic analysis, said the effective tariff rate on U.S. pork and pork by-products is currently 172%, while U.S. beef and beef by-products are subject to a tariff of 147%. Borror warned that losing access to China could cost the pork industry $8 to $10 per head in export value and result in annual losses of about $1 billion. For beef, the impact could exceed $4 billion per year, putting more than $150 per finished steer or heifer at risk.

“There’s a mad scramble to find new homes for products that are specifically produced and labeled for China,” Borror said. She explained that China buys certain types of beef and pork, such as spare ribs, pork fingers, pig feet and intestines, at prices unmatched in other markets, making it difficult to reroute these products elsewhere.

To complicate matters further, China has not renewed export registrations for about 400 U.S. beef processing plants and nine pork plants, effectively limiting supply even if tariffs are lifted.

Borror emphasized that without Chinese demand and the necessary facility permits, U.S. red meat exports face significant ongoing barriers.

Tags: China, Beef cattle, USA, restrictions