China says beef imports investigation will be fair

By Ella Cao, Tom Polansek and Ana Mano

BEIJING, April 1 (Reuters) - China said it would deliver a "fair and objective" ruling following a hearing in its ongoing investigation into beef imports that could lead to higher tariffs or import limits if it finds domestic producers are at risk.

China is the world's largest beef consumer and importer, and its investigation coincides with a trade dispute with U.S. President Donald Trump, who is set to announce reciprocal tariffs on Wednesday after Washington and Beijing hit each other with tit-for-tat tariffs in March.

Launched last year, China's review covers all imported beef, rather than that from any specific country, as slower demand and a domestic supply glut hit China's beef market.

Monday's hearing brought together around 180 representatives, including officials from major suppliers Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Uruguay and the United States, China's Ministry of Commerce said in a statement. Exporters, trade associations, Chinese importers and domestic beef producers, also attended, the ministry said.

China imported a record 2.87 million metric tons of beef in 2024, according to customs data, heightening concerns over possible trade restrictions that could affect leading suppliers.

Brazil, the world's biggest beef exporter, alone sold 1.3 million tons to China last year, according to trade data from the Brazilian Association of Meat Exporting Industries, ABIEC, an industry lobby.

U.S. Meat Export Federation spokesman Joe Schuele said U.S. beef primarily served China's high-end food service and retail sectors, and did not compete directly with domestic beef that is often priced lower.

"We don't feel that any restrictions on U.S. beef are going to benefit the domestic industry," Schuele said.

Brazilian companies export lean beef that is supplied to the Chinese industry, not premium cuts that are sold in Chinese supermarkets, ABIEC President Roberto Perosa said on Tuesday.

The next steps of Beijing's probe will involve Chinese officials visiting countries under investigation in May, Perosa said.

The industry's concerns were amplified after Chinese customs last month temporarily suspended beef imports from six companies in Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay.

Three Brazilian plants were affected by the temporary ban, including one operated by the world's biggest meat company JBS JBSS3.SA. An ABIEC spokesperson said it expects the ban will be lifted this month.

The meat investigation, which began on December 27, is expected to last eight months but could be extended under special circumstances.

Meanwhile, China has yet to renew export registrations for U.S. beef facilities that expired on March 16, causing traders to hesitate to strike deals for U.S. beef produced after that date.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture said it is committed to working with the General Administration of Customs of China to ensure that U.S. beef producers have continued access to the Chinese market.

The U.S. beef industry is already navigating a 10% tariff imposed as part of China's retaliatory duties on U.S. farm goods worth some $21 billion.

Australia, Brazil, Uruguay, and the U.S. are among China's major beef suppliers.