In China, ‘The Great American’ burger is now made with Australian beef
Share and Follow


At his restaurant in Beijing, Geng Xiaoyun used to offer a special dish of salt-baked chicken feet — or “phoenix talons” as they are called in China — imported from America.

With prices climbing 30% from March due to tariffs, the owner of Kunyuan restaurant had to pull the Chinese delicacy from the menu.

“American chicken feet are so beautiful,” Geng said. “They’re spongy so they taste great. Chinese [chicken] feet just aren’t as good.”

Geng can now source chicken feet from Brazil or Russia but said they just don’t stand up to the American ones. He keeps a small stash for himself but hopes to serve his American phoenix talons once again.

“The price of American chicken feet will come back down,” he said, “as long as there are no big changes in the world’s political situation.”

But the 90-day tariff pause agreed by China and the U.S. in Geneva in May is now under threat as both sides have accused each other of breaching the terms.

On Monday, the Chinese Commerce Ministry responded to President Donald Trump’s claim that the country “totally violated its agreement.” The ministry pointed at recent U.S. artificial intelligence chip export controls as actions that “severely undermine” the Geneva pact.

As the world waits and watches, American agricultural products have been vanishing from Chinese stores and restaurants and losing ground to other imports.

U.S. Department of Agriculture grade beef has been a draw for years at Home Plate, a Beijing restaurant known locally for its American-style barbecue. However, staff said the restaurant stopped serving American beef last month.

Dishes like “The Great American” burger are made with beef imported from Australia.

Australian beef has zero duty under the terms of the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement, though China does maintain the right to a safeguard limit on those imports.

Liu Li, a beef supplier at the Sanyuanli market for three decades, said the tariffs have disrupted supply, hiking the price of U.S. beef by 50% compared to before the tariff fight.

“U.S. beef is fattier and tastier,” Li said. “It’s a shame we’re in a trade war. The high price is just too much to bear.”

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Father's petty revenge on female flier who refused to swap seats

Dad’s Creative Payback for Woman Who Wouldn’t Change Seats on Flight

A solo traveler recently shared her frustrating experience on a flight after…
Chicago Public Schools Board approves property tax hike to close budget gap

Chicago Public Schools Boosts Property Taxes: A Critical Move to Bridge Budget Deficit

In a recent decision by Chicago’s partially elected and partially appointed school…
Who Jets, Giants need to watch as College Football Playoff unfolds

Key College Football Players the Jets and Giants Should Scout During Playoffs

This weekend’s NFL action has positioned the Giants and the Jets in…
'Truth nuke' explodes on CNN as Somali scandal sparks new GOP demand

Explosive Somali Scandal Ignites GOP Fury: CNN Uncovers New Political Firestorm

The controversy surrounding Somali immigrants allegedly defrauding the state of Minnesota remains…
Anthony Joshua 'is stable', officials confirm after Nigeria crash

Boxing Champion Anthony Joshua Confirmed Stable Following Nigeria Car Accident, Officials Say

Nigerian authorities have reported that champion boxer Anthony Joshua is in stable…
Jacksonville police investigating shooting in Pinecrest neighborhood off Normandy Boulevard

Jacksonville Police Probe Pinecrest Neighborhood Shooting Near Normandy Boulevard: Latest Updates

A Jacksonville Fire Rescue Department spokesperson reported that an adult sustained life-threatening…
FILE - Marching bands perform along Colorado Blvd. in the 136th Rose Parade, in Pasadena, Calif., Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File)

Potential Rain Threatens to Dampen New Year’s Day Rose Parade Celebrations

For the first time in two decades, rain might disrupt the Rose…
ALISON BOSHOFF: Can Sussexes' charity survive after top aide leaves?

Future of Sussexes’ Charity in Question After Key Aide’s Departure: What’s Next?

About two weeks ago, an exhilarating late-night call brought some surprising news.…