Trump removes tariffs on Australian beef exports
Donald Trump has lifted tariffs on one of Australia’s biggest exports to the US.
The US president announced Saturday morning Australian time that he would eliminate reciprocal tariffs on some agricultural products, including many beef products.
Although Australian products currently have the lowest tariff rate among U.S. trading partners, removing the 10 percent base duty on beef would be a significant boon for farmers.
“As an incredibly important market for Australian beef, we greatly value our relationship with the American industry and consumers,” said Cattle Australia CEO Will Evans.
“The decision to lift tariffs will further strengthen this relationship.”
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, meat is Australia’s second largest export to the Americas after non-monetary gold.
The Center for United States Studies found that the United States will account for 30 percent of Australia’s beef exports in 2024.
According to Meat and Livestock Australia, 394,000 tonnes of beef worth $4.16 billion were shipped to the states.
Even with tariffs in place, trade continued to flow.
Australia has exported more than 370,000 tonnes of beef since the start of the year, Meat and Livestock Australia found; This is a 17 percent increase over the first 10 months of 2024.
In July, the Albanian government rolled back biosecurity restrictions on U.S. beef imports as tariff concerns came to a head.
Ms Collins insisted at the time that the decision followed a decade-long science-based review.
But the US had previously complained to Australia about non-tariff trade barriers, including longstanding restrictions on beef following the earlier emergence of mad cow disease, and their removal was hailed as a victory by Mr Trump.
The president’s latest tariff reduction also eliminates taxes on coffee, tropical crops and many other products; because his administration faces increasing pressure to lower the cost of living.
