China has cancelled 12,030 metric tons of pork orders from the United States, marking the largest withdrawal since the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global trade in 2020.
The cancellation came as US pork exports to China faced a 172% tariff. The US Meat Export Federation confirmed the figure, noting that the tariffs have made American pork significantly more expensive in the Chinese market.
Trade Agreement With Spain
The cancellation followed China’s recent trade agreement with Spain, which expanded the types of pork products that Spain could export to China.
China has also signed new agricultural deals with Spain covering pork and cherries, strengthening ties with European suppliers.
China was the third-largest market for US pork in 2024, importing about 475,000 metric tons valued at over $1.1 billion. Only Mexico and Japan imported more US pork during that period.
China is also the world’s largest pork producer, supplying nearly half of global output with around 57 million metric tons annually.
Tariffs
Earlier in April, US President Donald Trump imposed a 145% tariff on Chinese imports to the US. China responded with a 125% tariff on US goods, including pork. The combined effect of these tariffs raised the effective rate on US pork to 172% in China.
After the tariffs took effect, total US pork export sales dropped to their lowest level since October 2024. Lean hog futures in Chicago fell by as much as 1.6% following the news, before recovering some ground.
Chinese officials denied reports of ongoing trade talks with the US. On 24 Apr 2025, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun called reports of such discussions “fake news” at a press briefing.
U.S. president Donald Trump, however, insisted that trade talks between the two nations had occurred.
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