Androvett News Dallas Attorney Clayton Bailey says Sale of Smithfield Farms About More Than Ham The proposed sale of Smithfield Farms, the country's largest pork producer, to China's Shuanghui International for $7.1 billion ultimately may be positive for the American pork market, but it is nevertheless a complicated transaction unfolding in a difficult political climate, says Clayton Bailey, a name partner in the Dallas litigation boutique Bailey Brauer PLLC. Bailey, who has significant experience handling agribusiness litigation, says the simmering distrust between the United States and China over trade secret matters, combined with Americans' concern over Shuanghui's track record on food safety issues, mean that the Smithfield transaction is more than "just business." He continues, "There's no denying that, by further opening the Chinese market to American pork exports, it could be a boon for U.S. pork producers, but the big question is how will Americans feel about eating pork that's being produced by a company that's owned by the Chinese?" — For more information, contact Amy Hunt at 800-559-4534 or amy@androvett.com