Donald Trump has removed tariffs on one of Australia’s biggest exports to the US.
The US president revealed on Saturday morning Australian time he would lift reciprocal tariffs on some agricultural goods including a plethora of beef goods.
Though Australian products already had the lowest tariff rate of any US trading partner, removing that baseline 10 per cent levy on beef will 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,” Cattle Australia chief executive Will Evans said.
“The decision to remove tariffs will further strengthen that relationship.”
Meat is Australia’s second largest export to America behind non-monetary gold according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
In 2024, the US accounted for 30 per cent of Australia’s beef exports, the United States Studies Centre found.
394,000 tonnes of beef worth $4.16 billion was sent to the states, according to Meat and Livestock Australia.
Even when the tariffs were in place, trade continued to flow.
Australia has exported more than 370,000 tonnes of beef since the beginning of the year, up 17 per cent compared to the first 10 months of 2024, Meat and Livestock Australia found.
The Albanese government in July wound back biosecurity restrictions on US beef imports as tariff concerns reached their zenith.
Ms Collins at the time insisted the decision had 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 a prior outbreak of mad cow disease, and their removal was hailed by Mr Trump as a victory.
The president’s latest tariff retreat also lifts levies on coffee, tropical goods, and a swathe of other goods as his administration faces mounting pressure to lower the cost of living.
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