China                                    ...

China                                                                                            

China Agrees “Conditionally” To Reopen To U.S. Beef

The Chinese government agreed “conditionally” to reopen its import market to U.S. beef, “subject to the finalization of a protocol by technical experts,” according to the U.S. government. China and the United States agreed to “quickly conduct such negotiations.” The agreement was announced yesterday in a news release issued by the USDA, the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Trade Representative summarizing the 17th annual senior-level meeting of the Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade, a forum to address trade issues which began meetings in 1983.

“I am pleased to announce that China conditionally agreed to resume imports of U.S. beef,” said USDA Secretary Mike Johanns in the release. “We will work quickly to finalize the terms of this market opening.” Referring to the $119,412 value of beef (including variety meat) exports to China and Hong Kong in 2003, Johanns noted “China is an important market for U.S. beef, accounting for $100 million of our beef exports in 2003.  This decision comes after lengthy technical discussions and is based on evidence that our safeguards work and that science supports the safety of U.S. beef.”

China                                                                                            

China Agrees “Conditionally” To Reopen To U.S. Beef

The Chinese government agreed “conditionally” to reopen its import market to U.S. beef, “subject to the finalization of a protocol by technical experts,” according to the U.S. government. China and the United States agreed to “quickly conduct such negotiations.” The agreement was announced yesterday in a news release issued by the USDA, the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Trade Representative summarizing the 17th annual senior-level meeting of the Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade, a forum to address trade issues which began meetings in 1983.

“I am pleased to announce that China conditionally agreed to resume imports of U.S. beef,” said USDA Secretary Mike Johanns in the release. “We will work quickly to finalize the terms of this market opening.” Referring to the $119,412 value of beef (including variety meat) exports to China and Hong Kong in 2003, Johanns noted “China is an important market for U.S. beef, accounting for $100 million of our beef exports in 2003.  This decision comes after lengthy technical discussions and is based on evidence that our safeguards work and that science supports the safety of U.S. beef.”