Australia Praises Trump’s Removal of Beef Tariffs as a “Positive Win for Producers”

Australia has welcomed US President Donald trump’s move to scrap beef tariffs, with Foreign Minister Penny Wong calling the step a significant victory for Australian producers and a helpful measure for American consumers dealing with rising food prices.

Speaking on ABC television, Wong emphasized that the elimination of tariffs on more than 200 US-imported food items – including Australian beef – would provide dual benefits: reducing grocery pressures for Americans and strengthening export opportunities for Australia’s meat industry.

“We applaud the removal of these levies. Australian beef producers will benefit from that,” Wong said, highlighting the positive outcome for both economies.

In 2024, Australia became the largest supplier of red meat to the United States, offering lean, affordable cuts that supported domestic US production. Wong noted that the policy shift reinforced the importance of free market access, stating that open trade benefits producers and consumers on both sides.

However, Wong refrained from speculating on whether Trump would also lift the steep 50% tariffs currently imposed on Australian steel and aluminum. The Albanese government has repeatedly urged washington to ease these restrictions, though progress has been limited. “We’ll keep advocating our position,” Wong stated firmly.

The removal of beef tariffs comes as part of broader US efforts to address voter frustration over the rising cost of food and daily essentials. Days before the beef announcement, Washington sealed agreements with Ecuador, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Argentina to reduce agricultural import duties. Earlier this week, Trump also proposed slashing coffee tariffs to increase supply.

Although Trump campaigned on strengthening American industry and curbing inflation, many US households continue to face higher prices for housing, groceries, utilities, and other essentials. Trump has defended his economic track record, insisting his policies have boosted overall economic performance despite these challenges.

Despite a decline in US beef output, Australian beef exports to the United States reached A$4 billion (US$2.64 billion) last year. This strong demand underscores America’s Reliance on high-quality imported beef.

Australia also eased restrictions on US beef imports after Trump criticized the trade deficit between the two countries. Since 1990, Australian beef shipments to the US have ranged between 150,000 and 400,000 tonnes annually – with especially high demand from American fast-food chains and large retailers.