BEIJING: China stated it could ship a “truthful and goal” ruling following a listening to in its ongoing investigation into beef imports that might result in larger tariffs or import limits if it finds home producers are in danger.
China is the world’s largest beef client and importer, and its investigation coincides with a commerce dispute with US President Donald Trump, who is ready to announce reciprocal tariffs on Wednesday (Apr 2) after Washington and Beijing hit one another with tit-for-tat tariffs in March.
Launched final 12 months, China’s overview covers all imported beef, quite than that from any particular nation, as slower demand and a home provide glut hit China’s beef market.
Monday’s listening to introduced collectively round 180 representatives, together with officers from main suppliers Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Uruguay and the USA, China’s Ministry of Commerce stated in an announcement. Exporters, commerce associations, Chinese language importers and home beef producers, additionally attended, the ministry stated.
China imported a report 2.87 million metric tons of beef in 2024, in keeping with customs information, heightening considerations over attainable commerce restrictions that might have an effect on main suppliers.
Brazil, the world’s greatest beef exporter, alone bought 1.3 million tons to China final 12 months, in keeping with commerce information from the Brazilian Affiliation of Meat Exporting Industries, ABIEC, an trade foyer.
US Meat Export Federation spokesman Joe Schuele stated US beef primarily served China’s high-end meals service and retail sectors, and didn’t compete straight with home beef that’s usually priced decrease.
“We do not really feel that any restrictions on US beef are going to learn the home trade,” Schuele stated.
