U.S. Beef Off the Menu as Trade Tensions Bite in Beijing

At Home Plate BBQ, a beloved American-style restaurant in Beijing, change is sizzling. Once famous for its juicy U.S. brisket, the restaurant is now reprinting its menus—American beef is being replaced, a direct consequence of the ongoing U.S.-China trade tensions.

With tariffs on U.S. beef now totaling a staggering 147%, the once-essential ingredient has become too costly to import. Home Plate BBQ previously relied on up to eight tonnes of U.S. brisket each month. But as prices surged, driven by both trade penalties and supply issues back in the U.S., the restaurant was forced to turn to alternatives.

Now, Australian beef has taken center stage. It’s about 40% cheaper and, according to the restaurant’s management, customers are responding positively to the switch. Pork ribs, another menu favorite, are now being sourced from Canada.

This shift is part of a broader trend, as many American-style eateries in China adapt to rising import costs by finding new suppliers. Despite the changes, the spirit of American BBQ lives on in Beijing—just with a new twist on the meat.