U.S. beef, LNG exports ready for China

U.S. exporters of beef and liquefied natural gas will soon have access to China’s burgeoning market, as a result of the U.S.-China Comprehensive Economic Dialogue.    The U.S. Commerce Department said China is prepared to receive its first shipments of American beef by no later than July 16.
   The deal is part of the breakthroughs reached by President Trump and China’s President Xi during their Mar-a-Lago meeting in April to advance economic cooperation between the two countries with a 100-day action plan under the U.S.-China Comprehensive Economic Dialogue. 
   “Following one more round of technical consultations between the United States and China, China is to allow imports of U.S. beef on conditions consistent with international food safety and animal health standards and consistent with the 1999 Agricultural Cooperation Agreement,” the Commerce Department said.
   The United States and China are also working to resolve lingering issues related to the import of China-origin cooked poultry into the United States. The U.S. government is expected to publish a proposed rule by July 16 to allow these exports from China. 
   During the meeting, the United States said it will not oppose liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports to China. 
   “The United States treats China no less favorably than other non-FTA (free trade agreement) trade partners with regard to LNG export authorizations,” the Commerce Department said. “Companies from China may proceed at any time to negotiate all types of contractual arrangement with U.S. LNG exporters, including long-term contracts, subject to the commercial considerations of the parties.”
   Since April 25, the Energy Department has authorized 19.2 billion cubic feet per day of natural gas exports to non-FTA countries.