
How China is using pigs to strike back at the U.S. in Trump-era trade war
U.S. farmers are facing significant losses due to the trade war with China, impacting niche export markets like breeding pigs and cattle semen. A deal for Dr. Mike Lemmon's pigs fell through after China imposed retaliatory tariffs, leading to financial setbacks and jeopardizing established trade relationships.
Tired of too many ads?
Remove Ads
Tired of too many ads?
Remove Ads
In the escalating trade war sparked by former U.S. President Donald Trump , China has found an unlikely pressure point: pigs.After Trump imposed sweeping tariffs on Chinese goods, Beijing responded in April with retaliatory measures—one of which included slapping heavy tariffs on American breeding pigs and other forms of livestock genetic material. The move has severely disrupted a once-thriving niche export market and cost U.S. businesses millions.According to a Reuters report, China—one of the largest buyers of American breeding pigs and cattle semen—has significantly scaled back its imports. These exports, vital to U.S. livestock producers, had been growing steadily before the trade conflict began.In the U.S., some farmers raise pigs exclusively for breeding—an elite segment within the $37 billion hog industry. These pigs are bred for superior genetics, helping produce large, healthy litters destined to become high-quality pork.China has been a major buyer of such pigs, especially since 2018, when African swine fever devastated its domestic hog population. With nearly half of the world's pigs raised on Chinese farms, demand for healthy American breeding stock soared—until tariffs brought that trade to a near halt.The damage hasn't stopped with pigs. China had also been the largest buyer of U.S. cattle semen, which is used to improve the genetics of dairy cows known for their high milk output. But that market, too, has vanished."Not one unit of semen is going to China right now," Jay Weiker, president of the National Association of Animal Breeders, told Reuters. He noted that China once accounted for 25% of all U.S. cattle semen exports.Chinese demand for high-quality dairy genetics surged after a 2008 milk scandal left six children dead and nearly 300,000 others sick. A Chinese manufacturer had added melamine—a toxic chemical—to milk powder to falsely boost protein readings. In the aftermath, China began importing vast quantities of American cattle semen to improve safety and productivity in its dairy industry.Now, those deals are frozen—literally. Brittany Scott, owner of SMART Reproduction Services in Arkansas, said many international buyers have backed out of orders, leaving her facility stocked with vials of unsold sheep and goat semen stored in tanks of liquid nitrogen.But sales have plummeted since the tariffs were imposed.'The lost business has been a punch in the gut,' she said.Despite a temporary pause in tariffs, exporters remain skeptical about the future. Many fear that once-reliable trade partners like China may permanently shift to suppliers in countries like Denmark, which are seen as more stable and politically predictable.For now, the fallout from the trade war continues to ripple across America's heartland—where even pigs are caught in the crossfire.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time of India
24 minutes ago
- Time of India
'India projected to maintain fastest growth rate': World Bank holds FY26 growth at 6.3%; global growth rate forecast cut to 2.3%
India will remain the fastest-growing major economy in 2025–26 with a projected GDP expansion of 6.3%, the World Bank said in its latest Global Economic Prospects report, while warning that rising global trade barriers and weaker demand from key export partners are likely to dampen external sector momentum. The projection for India remains unchanged from the World Bank's April estimate but marks a downward revision from the earlier January forecast of 6.7%. The multilateral lender cited subdued industrial growth and soft export demand as key reasons for the downgrade, though construction, services and rural consumption were seen holding steady, PTI reported. 'India is projected to maintain the fastest growth rate among the world's largest economies,' the World Bank stated, noting that even with the pressures on trade, the Indian economy's fundamentals remain relatively strong. The global outlook, however, was more pessimistic. The World Bank cut its forecast for global GDP growth in 2025 to 2.3%, down from 2.7% in January. It described this as the weakest performance in 17 years outside of full-blown recessions, attributing the slowdown to policy uncertainty and fragmentation in trade relations—particularly amid heightened tariff actions by the US under President Donald Trump. The Bank also said that average global growth in the first seven years of the 2020s could be the slowest since the 1960s if current conditions persist. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo Around 70% of global economies saw their forecasts revised down across all regions and income levels. For India, the World Bank expects GDP growth to accelerate slightly to an average of 6.6% over FY27–28, aided by a rebound in exports, especially in services, and continued momentum in construction and consumption. Last week, the Reserve Bank of India retained its GDP forecast for FY26 at 6.5%, citing macroeconomic resilience amid global headwinds. World Bank analysts added that resolving current trade disputes—potentially by halving tariff levels—could raise global growth by 0.2 percentage points over 2025 and 2026. They advised developing economies to diversify trade and pursue broader liberalization to counter the fallout from protectionist measures. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now


Time of India
24 minutes ago
- Time of India
Harvard's enduring leftist leanings: From Castro to campus controversies
Fidel Castro. (Getty Images) Harvard university, a beacon of liberal academia and a prominent US academic leader, has long displayed a discernible inclination towards leftist ideologies, a trend that has recently drawn sharp criticism from the Trump administration. This perceived political alignment intensified as President Donald Trump, citing Harvard's opposition to his policies and personal history, began imposing restrictions on the university's federal funding. While Trump denied personal resentment from any alleged Harvard rejection, the antipathy deepened significantly following the university community's response to the October 7 Hamas attack. The institution faced widespread condemnation for its "disgraceful display of anti-Israel vitriol and tacit endorsement of violent messaging," which then-president Claudine Gay initially refused to condemn, ultimately leading to her resignation, as reported by The Hill. This incident provided ample opportunity for Trump to lambast Harvard, given that approximately 90 percent of its student body and faculty reportedly supported his Democratic opponents in the three most recent presidential elections, as stated by The Hill. The Trump administration's scrutiny broadened further when Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced visa revocations for Chinese students with Communist Party ties or those studying in "critical fields." Later, Trump issued a proclamation limiting the entry of international students to Harvard for study and research, as reported by The Hill. A soft spot for leftist leaders Harvard's historical leanings are not a new phenomenon. In 1959, the university notably hosted Fidel Castro, the young Cuban revolutionary who had just overthrown the right-wing dictator Fulgencio Batista. During his visit, Castro delivered a fiery speech extolling his revolution. In a question-and-answer session, when confronted with reports of summary executions without trials, Castro vehemently denied any extra-judicial killings, as reported by The Hill. Less than two years later, despite his repeated claims of "I am not a Communist," Castro declared his Marxist-Leninist ideology and Cuba's alliance with the Soviet Union, as observed by The Hill. Vietnam war and Communist influence The Vietnam War era further underscored Harvard's evolving political landscape. Despite the conflict's origins under Harvard alumnus John F. Kennedy, the faculty and student body progressively turned against escalating US intervention under Lyndon Johnson. They increasingly viewed North Vietnam's Communist dictator, Ho Chi Minh, as merely an "agrarian reformer" and the Communist Vietcong as "oppressed democrats" rather than agents of North Vietnam's invasion, as reported by The Hill. In May 1965, when Johnson's Secretary of State Dean Rusk criticized the academic community for its "stubborn disregard of plain facts," Harvard led numerous Boston and Cambridge colleges in drafting a unified response to Rusk, as stated by The Hill. This period demonstrated how U.S. universities, including Harvard, became fertile ground for communist influence operations, a fact that China, North Vietnam's primary supporter, exploited for decades. Countering malign activities on US campuses The House Select Committee on China has since detailed the Chinese Communist Party's extensive efforts to leverage the openness of American society, particularly in acquiring technical and scientific information. A notable instance occurred in 2021 when Harvard professor Charles Lieber was convicted of selling classified information to Chinese university colleagues and lying to federal investigators about it, as reported by The Hill. Such incidents have cast a shadow over many international scholars in the US. University officials and government investigators now face the challenge of cooperating to counter "malign activities on US campuses without damaging America's reputation for free speech and open idea exchange," as noted by The Hill – an outcome that would be a strategic victory for Beijing. This dilemma extends beyond academia, as decades of US Defense Department military exercises with the People's Liberation Army, intended to build mutual understanding, have arguably ignored the underlying reality that in China's totalitarian system, "everything in academia, economics, and the military is subservient not to the needs and interests of the Chinese people but to the Chinese Communist Party," as stated by The Hill. Joseph Bosco, who served as China country director for the Secretary of Defense, emphasized that changing China remains a daunting challenge, and the "wishful thinking of unconditional engagement" has proven both futile and increasingly perilous, as quoted by The Hill. Both Harvard and the US government must now dedicate their best minds to this complex endeavor. Is your child ready for the careers of tomorrow? Enroll now and take advantage of our early bird offer! Spaces are limited.


Time of India
28 minutes ago
- Time of India
Mega anti-Trump protests in Chicago, Michigan on June 14 coincides with President's birthday: 10 points
Massive protests are planned against Donald Trump as part of the No Kings Protest to protest against President and his policies during his second term in the White House. "No Kings is a nationwide day of defiance," states. "From city blocks to small towns, from courthouse steps to community parks, we're taking action to reject authoritarianism − and show the world what democracy really looks like." Around 1,500 protests are being organized across the US. The 'No Kings' protest coincides with the day of military parade to honour the 250th birthday of the Army and the 79th birthday of the President Trump. ALSO READ: Massive 'No King' protest planned in more than 1500 US cities to counter Trump's June 14 parade: 10 points Here are ten things you need to know about June 14 protests: - No Kings" protest are planned across the country on June 14, the latest anti-Trump protest organized amid his second term in office. The group organizing the 'No Kings' national day of action accused the Trump administratoon of 'escalating tensions' in a statement released on Sunday. -The protests are expected to be the biggest one-day anti-Trump administration rally, with more than 100 advocacy groups planning local rallies across 50 states according to Axios. Live Events -"We'll rise together and say: We reject political violence. We reject fear as governance. We reject the myth that only some deserve freedom," wrote the coalition behind "No Kings" rallies planned for June 14. ALSO READ: Sonoma county woman sues Costco for over $14 million after shocking display cabinet incident -Protests are being organised in more than 1500 US cities and rallies are expected to take place in Michigan, Chicago, Marion, Oshkosh and others. In Chicago, there's a rally in Daley Plaza at noon Saturday, but also events stretching from Beverly to Jefferson Park, and suburbs including Joliet, Oak Park, Evanston and Gurnee, reports Axios. -In Michigan, A No Kings rally and march are planned for 1–4pm at Clark Park in Detroit, with food, music and speeches, including from U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib. Events are also planned in about 10 other cities in Metro Detroit, including Dearborn, Ferndale, Novi and Romeo. Times vary, Axios reported. - The widespread anti-Trump movement will run counter to Trump's multimillion-dollar military parade in D.C. on June 14. More than 100 pro-democracy advocacy groups are partnering to organize the No Kings events. ALSO READ: Giant dust storm equal the size of 48 US states likely to hit Florida this week. Is it heading your way? -In Oshkosh, according to an event flier, protesters will take to the streets around Opera House Square, 315 N. Main St., from noon to 3 p.m. for what is being described as a 'commitment to nonviolent action.' 'We've watched as they've cracked down on free speech, detained people for their political views, threatened to deport American citizens, and defied the courts.' -The 'No Kings' website says, 'On June 14—Flag Day—President Trump wants tanks in the street and a made-for-TV display of dominance for his birthday. A spectacle meant to look like strength. But real power isn't staged in Washington. It rises up everywhere else. No Kings is a nationwide day of defiance. From city blocks to small towns, from courthouse steps to community parks, we're taking action to reject authoritarianism—and show the world what democracy really looks like.' ALSO READ: Did Elon Musk 'take' Trump's Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller's wife? Screenshot goes viral -No, Kings are not scheduled to have an organized protest in Washington, D.C. "We want to create contrast, not conflict," said Leah Greenberg, co-executive director of Indivisible, one of the partner groups. -There have been many other protests organized by groups like Indivisible and 50501 since then, including on Memorial Day weekend, "Hands Off" protests in April and May Day demonstrations last month. According to 50501, more than 3 million people turned out for the protests in April.