Pork war

The Pork war was a ban by Germany and nine other European nations (Italy, Portugal, Greece, Spain, France, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, Romania, and Denmark) on U.S. pork imports in the 1880s. Due to repeated years of low crop yield, American pork and wheat became increasingly prevalent in these countries. Angered local farmers soon called for boycotts, often citing vague reports of trichinosis that supposedly originated from American pork. Fueled by the growing policy of protectionism in Europe, many countries proceeded to ban all or some American pork, beef, and wheat imports. However, in 1891, after almost 20 years of economic tension, U.S. President Benjamin Harrison threatened an embargo of Germany's sugar beets, forcing Germany to allow U.S. pork imports. Other nations quickly followed suit, fearing similar repercussions.