Good thing for producers: Australia praises Trump’s removal of beef tariffs

Australia has welcomed US President Donald Trump’s decision to eliminate tariffs on beef, with Foreign Minister Penny Wong calling the move a clear win for Australian producers.

Speaking on ABC television, Wong said the removal of US duties on more than 200 food products, including beef, would support both Australian exporters and American consumers facing rising grocery prices.

“We welcome the lifting of these tariffs. That’s a good thing for Australian beef producers,” she said.

Australia became the United States’ largest supplier of red meat in 2024, offering competitively priced, leaner cuts that complement US domestic production. Wong said the tariff removal reflects the importance of open markets, noting that access benefits both consumers and producers on both sides.

However, Wong declined to speculate on whether Australia now expects Trump to reverse the 50 per cent tariffs still imposed on Australian steel and aluminium. The Albanese government has pushed Washington for relief on these measures but has yet to see movement. “We’ll keep advocating our position,” Wong said.

Trump’s decision on beef came shortly after the US reached agreements with Ecuador, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Argentina to reduce agricultural import taxes: part of a broader push to address voter frustration over rising food and living costs. Earlier in the week, Trump also suggested lowering tariffs on coffee to encourage more imports.

While Trump campaigned on rebuilding American manufacturing and tackling inflation, many US households continue to face higher bills for groceries, electricity, and housing. Despite this, he has defended his economic record, claiming his policies have strengthened the economy.

Australian beef exports to the US surged to A$4 billion ($2.64 billion) last year amid a slump in American beef production.

Months after Trump criticised the trade imbalance, Australia eased its own restrictions on US beef imports. Australia has shipped between 150,000 and 400,000 tonnes of beef annually to the US since 1990, where demand remains strong—particularly among fast-food chains.

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With inputs from Reuters

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