Deprived of the gigantic Chinese market, American beef producers are counting on the Trump-Xi summit

American beef producers hope to secure a restoration of their access to the Chinese market at the upcoming summit between the US president and the US president. Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, scheduled for May 14 and 15.

For several months, a large part of the American beef industry has been virtually excluded from China following the expiration of numerous export licenses granted by Beijing. According to Chinese customs data, more than 400 American meat processing plants have lost their authorization to export to the Chinese market in the past year.

These expirations represent approximately 65% ​​of the establishments previously registered to sell beef in China. Three more authorizations are set to expire in June, according to the U.S. Meat Exporters Federation.

Before this trade crisis, China represented an extremely lucrative market for American producers. Beef exports to the country had reached $1,7 billion in 2022, before declining sharply with the deterioration of trade relations between Washington and Beijing.

Industry professionals accuse China of allowing licenses to expire without clear justification, despite the so-called "phase 1" trade agreement signed between the two powers in 2020. Joe Schuele, spokesperson for an American trade association, believes that this decision goes against the commitments made by Beijing at the time.

American ranchers and processors now hope that the summit between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping will help to break the deadlock. Justin Tupper, president of the American Cattlemen's Association, stated that White House officials had assured him in recent weeks that the issue would be addressed during bilateral discussions.

Even if the Chinese market reopens, American producers could still face a much more challenging environment. Chinese demand has shifted, international competition has intensified, and persistent trade tensions continue to weigh on trade between the world's two largest economies.

While relations between Washington and Beijing remain marked by disagreements over trade, technology and tariffs, the American agricultural sector hopes that beef can once again become a strategic common ground between the two powers.