U.S. Beef Industry Seeks China Market Access Ahead of Trump-Xi Summit

U.S. beef producers are hoping the upcoming summit between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping will help restore export access to China, Reuters reported.

More than 400 U.S. beef plants have lost export eligibility over the past year.

American beef exports to China reached a peak of $1.7 billion in 2022 before trade tensions between Washington and Beijing disrupted market access.

According to Chinese customs data, more than 400 U.S. beef plants have lost export eligibility over the past year after registrations granted between March 2020 and April 2021 expired.

The affected facilities account for roughly 65% of previously approved plants. Export access for three more facilities is set to expire in June, according to the US Meat Export Federation.

Joe Schuele, spokesperson for the federation, said China has not explained why it allowed the registrations to lapse despite commitments under the 2020 Phase One trade agreement.

Industry groups are now hoping the May 14–15 Trump-Xi summit will lead to renewed export licenses and ease trade tensions between the two countries.