The world's largest producer and processor of pork, Smithfield, has agreed to sell to China's biggest meat company.
The deal, which is subject to approval by company stockholders and regulators from both countries, would be the largest purchase of a US company.
Residents and workers of Smithfield, in the US state of Virginia, are keeping a wait-and-see attitude towards the $4.7bn possible deal by the Chinese company, Shuanghuai International Holdings.
Al Jazeera's Tom Ackerman reports from Smithfield.
