I remember when this deal went through. Lots of back room deals for the sign off on the sale.
https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2013/05/29/187029237/smithfield-foods-to-be-sold-to-chinese-firm-for-4-72-billion
Interestingly, a strategic national asset and an important part of our food supply was allowed to be sold to China, who viewed the acquisition as a national security asset. The dirty work of actual hog farming and processing would remain in the US, but the high tech jobs, the QA lab work etc would be moved to China.
The Chinese were able to make this sale happen because the sale was backed by the Chinese government. They didn't have to raise funds in the market.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-swinefever-smithfield-foods-foc-idUSKBN1XF0XC
https://www.nationalhogfarmer.com/business/evaluating-sale-smithfield-foods-china