NPPC urges fair trade as China imposes restrictions
The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) has called attention to the continuing trade barriers faced by U.S. pork exports to China. In comments submitted to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), NPPC outlined several restrictive measures that conflict with international trade standards and hinder American farmers. These comments will be included in a report to Congress on China’s compliance with its World Trade Organization (WTO) obligations.
Despite market access improvements in the 2020 U.S.-China Phase One trade agreement, exports remain limited due to tariffs, domestic subsidies, and strict sanitary and phytosanitary restrictions. Recently, China also declined to renew export registrations for about 400 U.S. beef facilities and nine pork plants, effectively blocking them from shipping products to the country.
Among the most restrictive measures is China’s requirement that U.S. pork test negative for ractopamine hydrochloride, a feed additive approved by the United Nations Codex Alimentarius Commission and widely accepted worldwide. This policy, NPPC noted, unfairly restricts U.S. exports.
China has also increased inspections on pork from certain U.S. facilities over alleged detections of diseases such as porcine reproductive respiratory syndrome (PRRS). U.S. producers control PRRS through vaccines, but common testing techniques may return false positives in vaccinated animals.
The issue carries significant economic weight. In 2024, China was the third-largest value market for U.S. pork, importing more than $1.1 billion worth of products—around 13% of total exports. Notably, China purchased 59% of U.S. pork variety meats, such as feet, stomachs, and heads, which add value to every hog raised in the United States. No other market offers the same scale of demand.
“Ensuring fair access to global markets is critical for U.S. pork producers,” NPPC emphasized in its comments. Addressing these trade barriers remains vital to protect farm income and maintain U.S. leadership in the global pork industry.
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