Overview
- China's Ministry of Commerce added two months to the probe, citing case complexity, after a prior extension to November 26, 2025.
- Officials say the investigation is global in scope and not directed at any single country.
- Domestic factors include excess supply and heavy buying: beef imports hit a record 2.87 million tonnes in 2024 and rose 2.8% year over year in January–October 2025, while cattle prices increased versus a year earlier.
- Argentina is particularly exposed, with about 70% of its beef exports going to China; its industry argued in Beijing against safeguards and said a minimal tariff would be least harmful if measures are imposed.
- The new timeline preserves year-end shipments and leaves roughly 60 days for further submissions, as Argentina's January–October exports reached 588,800 tonnes worth USD 3.155 billion.