Australia has announced it will remove restrictions on importing beef from the United States, a longstanding trade issue that had previously sparked tensions with the Trump administration.
Since 2003, American beef had effectively been barred due to a case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), commonly known as mad cow disease. Australia’s strict biosecurity laws kept US beef out of the market for over two decades.
The Trump administration had pointed to these import restrictions as a justification for implementing tariffs on Australian exports in April, under what it called the “Liberation Day” initiative.
However, Australian officials maintain the decision to lift the ban was not influenced by trade disputes. They said it followed a decade-long scientific review that concluded the US had improved its systems for ensuring beef safety.
While Australia formally ended the ban in 2019, beef from Canada and Mexico — which share supply chains with the US — was still prohibited, effectively continuing the restriction on American beef. Recent advancements in the US’s cattle tracking systems have now enabled authorities to better trace and respond to potential outbreaks, addressing Australia’s biosecurity concerns.
Agriculture Minister Julie Collins confirmed the move followed a “thorough, science-based risk assessment” and stated the government is now confident in the US’s disease prevention and control measures.
“This decision is grounded entirely in science,” Collins emphasized. “The Albanese government remains committed to upholding our biosecurity standards.”
Despite the government’s assurances, opposition politicians have questioned the timing of the policy change. Nationals leader David Littleproud suggested the decision might have been politically motivated to placate former President Trump. “It appears this was a trade-off to please Donald Trump, which is concerning,” he told the ABC. “We need to see the scientific basis clearly.”
Will Evans, CEO of Cattle Australia, supported the move, saying he trusted the Department of Agriculture’s judgment and acknowledged the importance of maintaining strong trade ties with the US.
The United States remains Australia’s largest market for beef exports, with the trade valued at A$14 billion (approximately £6.8 billion or $9.2 billion USD) last year.
Even though Trump imposed at least a 10% tariff on Australian exports — including beef — in what he described as a reciprocal trade measure, a report from Meat and Livestock Australia released in June indicated that beef exports had actually increased by about 33% so far this year, suggesting the tariffs had minimal negative impact.
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