Canada came out second to the United States in new trade
agreements with China this week.
Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz hailed the agreement that
opens the Chinese market to bone-in beef from animals younger than 30 months
and live cattle.
But within hours, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack
announced that the U.S. will have unrestricted access to Hong Kong for all beef
products, no matter what age the animals are.
Hong Kong is, of course, now part of mainland China and
offers market access to the entire nation.