[DannyTN]

"The acquisition provides Smithfield the opportunity to expand its offering of products to China through Shuanghui's distribution network. Shuanghui will gain access to high-quality, competitively priced and safe US products, as well as Smithfield's best practices and operational expertise," he said. "

Why do we have free trade with China when they are a closed market and they have to own the firms before they have access to the Chinese market?

[1rudeboy]

We don’t have free trade with China, and it’s probably been pointed-out to you more than a dozen times.

[expat_panama]

...we have free trade with China when they are a closed market...

Of course at first glance we all know this is impossible, that free trade ≠ closed market. 

Looking deeper I'd have thought you'd wanted the Chinese to buy more US stuff --I know I do-- and this article is about the Chinese buying US stuff.  Even so you sound like you object for some reason. Please say what the heck it is that you do want and just how you intend to bring it about.

[stephenjohnbanker]

” Why do we have free trade with China when they are a closed market and they have to own the firms before they have access to the Chinese market? “

How bout that....

[BfloGuy]

Why do we have free trade with China when they are a closed market and they have to own the firms before they have access to the Chinese market?

The company can already export to China. The purchase by the Chinese eases that trade because of Shanghui's already-existing distribution network.