China just threw a serious punch in the ongoing trade fight with the United States — canceling 12,000 metric tons of pork orders, the biggest hit to American pork exports since COVID-era disruptions, according to data released Thursday by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
That’s a massive loss in a critical market. China was the third-largest buyer of U.S. pork in 2024, snapping up nearly half a million metric tons worth over $1.1 billion. Now, Beijing is walking away — and looking elsewhere. In fact, it’s already signed new deals with Spain for pork and cherries, Reuters reported.
The timing couldn’t be worse for President Trump.
Earlier this month, Trump lit a fire under global trade by hitting Chinese goods with a 145% tariff. China answered back with a brutal 125% duty on American imports. And now, U.S. pork faces a crippling 172% tariff, according to the U.S. Meat Export Federation.
Despite Trump’s tough talk, Beijing says the U.S. isn’t even at the negotiating table. When asked about the stalled talks, Chinese Commerce Ministry spokesperson He Yadong didn’t mince words: claims about progress are “groundless as trying to catch the wind and have no factual basis.”
But Trump insists negotiations are ongoing. “They had meetings this morning and we’ve been meeting with China,” he told reporters Thursday. “So I think you have … as usual, I think you have your reporting wrong.”
However, there’s no visible deal on the horizon — and China seems in no rush.
According to Owen Tedford, senior research analyst at Beacon Policy Advisors, “In this game of chicken, Trump appears to be the more likely of the two to blink… He has shown he will bend in the face of sufficient pressure.”
Pressure is exactly what Trump is getting — politically and economically. His approval on the economy has plummeted to 37%, the lowest of either of his terms, a Reuters/Ipsos poll found this week. Once his strong suit, the economy is now dragging him down.
The S&P 500 is down 10% since he took office. Businesses are rattled. CEOs from Walmart, Target, and Home Depot reportedly warned Trump in a meeting Monday that the tariffs will drive prices up — just in time for the holiday season.
Even inside Trump’s camp, cracks are showing. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told investors Tuesday he expects a “de-escalation” in the trade war — a hint that Washington may be looking for a way out.
But it may be too late to save face.
A former senior national security aide told it straight: “Trump’s made a huge mistake and he’s kind of fired off all of his weapons at the same time. He’s made threats that even now he can’t possibly maintain and they have him a little bit over a barrel.”
China, by contrast, is looking like the calm one in the room — despite its own economic pressures. “It’s just that Xi somehow, notwithstanding all the bad things China does, is coming out of the last week looking like a winner and a statesman,” the aide added.
With the American economy stumbling and business leaders warning of empty store shelves, Trump may have to make the first move — or risk more damage at home.
And for now, the canceled pork is just one more sign: Trump’s tough talk may be costing him more than he’s willing to admit.
