Agricultural industry leaders have reacted with disappointment to a USA government decision to put a tariff on Australian exports
The United States government’s decision to place a 10 per cent tariff on all Australian exports has been met with disappointment by beef industry representatives.
The decision impacts all Australian exports to the USA, with Australian beef mentioned specifically by president Donald Trump while outlning the tariffs.
The USA is the largest export market in the world for Australian beef, 2024 figures show.
Australia and the USA has had a free trade agreement since 2005, which meant no tariffs were applied to trade between the two nations.
National Farmers Federation president David Jochinke says the decision is a “disappointing step backward for our nations and for the global economy.”
“The Australian agricultural industry supports a considered and measured approach to negotiations with the United States and will work closely with the Government and all sides of politics to seek a resolution to this issue,” he says.
“The NFF has long championed free and fair trade, not just for agriculture but all industries, recognising its role in global economic growth and stability. Australian agriculture is unwavering in its commitment to this.”
Jochinke met with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese after the tariffs were announced and outlined that the agricultural sector does not support the introduction of reciprocal tariffs.
He also welcomed a $50 million government commitment to help sectors affected by the tariffs to diversify markets.
The market diversification already in place was cited by Cattle Australia CEO Chris Parker as a reason why the industry’s overall outlook should remain positive.
“While we value the US market and our relationship with its beef industry, Australian producers should take comfort from our market diversification and the overall global demand outlook which remains very strong for Australian beef,” he says.
Parker visited the USA when the tariffs were announced to represent the interests of Australian beef producers, and reiterated that the tariff decision was “disappointing”.
“Imposing tariffs on Australian beef disregards the mutually beneficial role of each country’s supply chain, and the effects will be most acutely felt by American consumers and industry,” he says.
“While this is an incredibly disappointing decision, Australian producers can be assured that Cattle Australia will continue to pursue open international trade and will fight for the removal of these new tariffs.”