China-owned Smithfield Foods Eligible for U.S. Trade Relief

China-owned Smithfield Foods is eligible for payments under the $12 billion aid package for American farmers.  The Washington Post says word of the eligibility has made smaller pork producers unhappy.  The Virginia-based, but China-owned pork company can apply for federal money under a program created this summer.

JBS of Brazil is also eligible to apply.

The USDA announced the trade mitigation plan in August, while also announcing $1.2 billion in purchases of surplus food to distribute through food banks across the country.  The plan is an attempt to ease the market burdens stemming from Trump’s trade war with China.  Smithfield Foods declined to say whether it has applied to participate in the program.  However, the company did note that it met USDA’s eligibility standards, while pointing out the Smithfield is still a U.S.-based company employing thousands of Americans and that its U.S. meat products are made in its nearly 50 domestic facilities.

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