U.S. Beef Is Back on China's Shelves—But China Doesn't Care
- Limited supply means U.S. meat is bypassed in favor of others
- Rivals such as Australia rushed into market when U.S. was out
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At the Sam’s Club store in Beijing’s Shijingshan district, the chilled beef on offer is so dominated by Australian cuts -- marbled rib eye steaks to fatty oxtail chunks -- that many customers are oblivious to the few packs of U.S. meat available.
“I haven’t noticed the U.S. beef here,” said Hui Xue, who was shopping for steaks that he cooks once a week. Even if he had spotted the produce, it probably wouldn’t have gone into his cart. The American meat -- back in China after 14 years as part of a trade deal hailed by the Donald Trump administration -- was only available in little strips meant to be stir-fried rather than in larger hunks that can be sizzled on a cast-iron skillet.