China: China said it would give a” fair and objective” decision following a reading in its continuing investigation into beef exports that could lead to higher , tariffs , or trade restrictions if it finds local producers are at risk.
China is the world’s largest beef consumer and importer, and its investigation coincides with a trade dispute with US President Donald Trump, who is set to announce reciprocal tariffs on Wednesday ( Apr 2 ) after Washington and Beijing hit each other with , tit-for-tat tariffs , in March.
Launched last month, China’s assessment covers all imported meat, rather than that from any particular state, as slower requirement and a local supply glut hit China’s beef market.
Monday’s reading brought up around 180 members, including representatives from key vendors Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Uruguay and the United States, China’s Ministry of Commerce said in a declaration. Exporters, trade associations, Chinese importers and domestic beef producers, also attended, the ministry said.
China imported a record 2.87 million metric tons of beef in 2024, according to customs data, heightening concerns over possible trade restrictions that could affect leading suppliers.
Brazil, the world’s biggest beef exporter, alone sold 1.3 million tons to China last year, according to trade data from the Brazilian Association of Meat Exporting Industries, ABIEC, an industry lobby.
US Meat Export Federation spokesman Joe Schuele said US beef primarily served China’s high-end food service and retail sectors, and did not compete directly with domestic beef that is often priced lower.
” We don’t feel that any restrictions on US beef are going to benefit the domestic industry”, Schuele said.