Trade War Retaliation: Trump Orders Chinese Restaurants to Reveal Real Source of Meats

President Donald Trump has issued an executive order mandating that all Chinese restaurants in the United States disclose the exact source of meat used in their dishes, particularly at buffets.

The move comes as a direct response to Chinese state media collaborating with Amazon to display the estimated cost of Trump’s proposed tariffs on individual product pages, a tactic politically aimed at highlighting the economic impact of his trade policies.

The new regulation requires restaurants to post detailed meat-sourcing information on menus and signage, sparking outrage among Chinese restaurant owners who argue the requirement is impractical and costly.

“This is about transparency and fairness,” said White House trade advisor Peter Navarro. “Americans deserve to know what they’re eating, whether it’s chicken, a puppy, or something else entirely.”

The order has reignited longstanding rumors about the use of unconventional meats—such as dog, cat, raccoon, or squirrel—in some Chinese restaurants.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has long enforced strict food safety standards, but the Trump administration insists the new rule will restore consumer confidence.

Restaurant owner Mei-Ling Chen, who runs a popular buffet in San Francisco, called the policy discriminatory. “Chicken is too expensive, and customers like our meat. It’s just targeting us because we Chinese.”

The tariff dispute driving the order stems from Trump’s recent push to impose steep levies on Chinese imports, which economists estimate could raise consumer prices by 10-15% on goods like electronics and clothing.

Progressive activist Sarah Liu condemned the meat disclosure rule as a distraction. “This is just petty retaliation that stereotypes Chinese businesses. Trump should focus on real economic solutions, not buffet menus.”

The policy has already caused a stir on social media, with X users posting memes of dubious “mystery meat” dishes alongside tariff calculators.

The National Restaurant Association reports that compliance costs could force some small Chinese restaurants to raise prices or close, further straining an industry still recovering from pandemic-era losses.

Despite the backlash, the Trump administration is doubling down, with plans to extend similar disclosure rules to other ethnic cuisines if trade provocations continue.

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