A worker arranges boxes of imported pork from the U.S. at a cold storage warehouse in Shanghai, China. (Raul Ariano/Bloomberg News)
China’s government has renewed export registrations for some U.S. meat plants whose eligibility was set to lapse, raising hopes that shipments won’t be disrupted.
The registrations for U.S. pork and poultry plants were renewed on the website for the General Administration of Customs of China, according to American trade groups.
“This took place late last night, so pork destined for China — or planned shipments to China — should clear customs regardless of the production date,” Joe Schuele, spokesman for the U.S. Meat Export Federation, said on March 17.
Still, hundreds of U.S. beef plants saw their eligibility expire on March 16 and haven’t yet been renewed. “We are hoping for similar news soon on the beef side,” Schuele said.
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The issue prompted concerns that $3 billion in U.S. meat and poultry shipments to China were at risk with President Donald Trump pursuing another trade war. The president has doubled tariffs on goods from China to 20%, setting the stage for fresh geopolitical tensions in his second term. Beijing has responded with duties on a range of agricultural goods, from beef and poultry to grains.
The Department of Agriculture didn’t immediately reply to a request for comment. In a statement late March 14, the USDA said it “continues to work closely with GACC to ensure the timely renewal of these registrations and facilitate uninterrupted trade.”
