Just days after New England beef producers dominated at the World Steak Challenge, US President Donald Trump has announced he will lift tariffs on Australian beef.
The decision, revealed on Saturday morning Australian time, removes a longstanding 10 per cent levy on beef entering the United States. Farmers and industry groups across the country have celebrated the move, saying it strengthens one of Australia’s most important agricultural relationships.
Cattle Australia chief executive Will Evans said the announcement would deliver a major advantage for producers.
“As an incredibly important market for Australian beef, we greatly value our relationship with the American industry and consumers,” he said.
“The decision to remove tariffs will further strengthen that relationship.”
The US is the second largest destination for Australian meat, behind only non-monetary gold exports. In 2024, Australia exported nearly 400,000 tonnes of beef worth $4.16 billion to the US. The United States Studies Centre found that year the US accounted for 30 per cent of all Australian beef exports.
Meat and Livestock Australia data shows 394,000 tonnes of beef worth $4.16 billion was sent to the US in 2024, and trade has remained strong despite the tariff. More than 370,000 tonnes have already been exported since the beginning of this year, up 17 per cent compared to the first 10 months of 2024.
The move comes after months of tension over agricultural access. In July, the Albanese government eased biosecurity restrictions on US beef imports after concerns about reciprocal tariffs intensified. Agriculture Minister Julie Collins said at the time the shift followed a decade-long, science-based review.
National Farmers’ Federation interim chief executive Su McCluskey said the decision aligns with longstanding Australian policy.
The NFF “welcomes the decision by the United States to remove tariffs applied to a range of global agricultural goods, including from Australia,” she said.
She said the organisation had long supported “free and fair trade, not just for agriculture but all industries, recognising its role in global economic growth, stability and food security.”
“The US is a key trading partner for Australian agriculture – particularly for beef, wine and sheepmeat – and is central to global trading frameworks,” Ms McCluskey said.
“While the sector’s exports have shown resilience over the course of the past months, today’s announcement is a sensible step that brings us back into line with the Australia–US Free Trade Agreement, which provides for zero tariffs on two-way trade.”
Meat and Livestock Australia managing director Michael Crowley also welcomed the development.
“MLA welcomes the news out of the United States that tariffs on Australian beef have been removed,” he said.
“The United States is a valuable and long-term trading partner. MLA has an on the ground presence in the US and we look forward to the ongoing partnership in trade.”
“So far in 2025, Australia has exported 370,357 tonnes of beef to the US, 17% more than the first 10 months of 2024.”
The US had previously raised concerns about non-tariff barriers, including restrictions introduced after a past outbreak of mad cow disease. Their removal was hailed by President Trump as a win for American producers, and the latest tariff changes also apply to coffee, tropical products and a wide range of other agricultural goods.
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