US, China reach poultry, beef trade agreement

The U.S. and China have reached a preliminary trade agreement that would reopen the China market to exports of U.S.poultry and beef.

(Cbies, Bigstock.com)
(Cbies, Bigstock.com)

The U.S. and China have reached a preliminary trade agreement that could potentially reopen the China market to exports of U.S. poultry and beef.

The agreement, which is explained on the U.S. Department of Commerce website, could pave the way for U.S. poultry to be exported to China for the first time since January 2015, when China issued a blanket ban on all U.S. poultry over concerns about avian influenza. It would also open China to U.S. beef for the first time in 14 years.

The agreement was earlier negotiated during a Presidential Summit, held about a month ago.

Industry groups applaud agreement

“This announcement is a positive development and a testament to the administration’s work to break down some of the existing obstacles that have been preventing U.S. chicken from regaining access to the Chinese market,” National Chicken Council (NCC) President Mike Brown said in statement. “With the announcement of U.S. beef access to China, we encourage the administration to continue their work to remove China’s obstacles preventing U.S. broiler access to their marketplace. 

“NCC and our members support free and fair trade. “In order to be effective, free trade must operate as a two-way street. I am optimistic that as our negotiators continue the dialogue with China, U.S. broiler access issues will be resolved expeditiously.”

According to the NCC, poultry exports to China peaked in 2008, with an export value of $722 million.

The North American Meat Institute (NAMI) estimated that the Chinese market is worth $2.6 million for the U.S. beef industry.

“The beef deal is a significant, concrete accomplishment resulting from the 100-day plan established by President (Donald) Trump and President Xi (Jinping) at their summit. We are thankful for the hard work on the issue by both leaders," stated NAMI President Barry Carpenter.

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