China access remains a technical carcass-value issue for US beef

The inclusion of beef and pork in a list of goods qualifying for better trade treatment in negotiations between the United States and China is, for now, a signal of opening rather than fully resolved market access. The US Meat Institute stresses that retaliatory tariffs and technical non-tariff barriers remain outstanding. The association expects a technical agricultural working group to address these obstacles later this year.

For the beef chain, the issue is especially relevant for variety meats and offal. According to the organisation, these products find stronger demand and prices in China than in the US market. The economic logic is familiar: when locally less-demanded components gain an export outlet, whole-carcass value rises and less pressure falls on domestic prime cuts alone to recover value.

The statement also highlights suspensions of US plants following first detections of ractopamine or melengestrol acetate. The institute argues that these suspensions run counter to the spirit of the Phase One Agreement and calls for a transparent, enforceable procedure to prevent indefinite exclusions. That is an industry position, not confirmation of a Chinese regulatory change.