U.S. Meat Exports At Risk As China Lets Registrations Lapse

Export registrations for more than 1,000 U.S. meat plants granted under the 2020 "Phase 1" trade deal with China has expired, threatening American exports to the world’s largest buyer amid an ongoing tariff standoff, Reuters reporter Mei Mei Chu wrote.

The expiration of registrations for roughly two-thirds of all approved facilities could significantly limit U.S. market access. I Photo: Tyson Foods Facebook

The registration status for pork, beef, and poultry plants across the U.S.—including those owned by major producers Tyson Foods, Smithfield Packaged Meats, and Cargill Meat Solutions—was changed from "effective" to "expired," according to China’s General Administration of Customs website.

The expiration of registrations for roughly two-thirds of all approved facilities could significantly limit U.S. market access, potentially leading to losses of approximately $5 billion.

This setback compounds the challenges facing American farmers after Beijing imposed retaliatory tariffs on $21 billion worth of U.S. agricultural goods earlier this month.

Registrations for about 84 U.S. plants lapsed in February. While shipments from these facilities continue to clear customs, it remains uncertain how long China will allow imports.

Beijing requires all food exporters to register with customs to sell in China, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has stated that China has not responded to repeated requests to renew plant registrations.

This inaction may constitute a violation of the Phase 1 trade agreement, which requires China to update its approved plant list within 20 days of receiving updates from the USDA.