Prime Minister lifts US beef ban, sets stage for Trump tariff talks
The big move removes the Trump administration's key excuse for imposing steep tariffs on Australian beef exports to the US.
Australia's bans on fresh beef from the US was to protect against foot-and-mouth outbreak that could cost Australia $80 billion and Mad Cow disease.
But in late 2024 and early 2025, the US introduced more robust movement controls which means that all cattle, from Canada and Mexico, can be identified and traced to the farm and through the supply chain.
The Albanese Government confirmed the big move on Thursday with government sources confirming it was communicated to the US government overnight Wednesday (AEST).
'The Albanese Labor Government will never compromise on biosecurity,'' Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Minister Julie Collins MP:
'The US Beef Imports Review has undergone a rigorous science and risk-based assessment over the past decade.
'The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry is satisfied the strengthened control measures put in place by the US effectively manage biosecurity risks.
'Australia stands for open and fair trade – our cattle industry has significantly benefited from this.'
The announcement will allow for expanded access to include beef sourced from cattle born in Canada or Mexico which is legally imported and slaughtered in the US.
Despite the recent tariff war, Australian beef has had back-to-back record-breaking export years, with last year worth $14 billion.
The Albanese maintains it was a Departmental decision based on scientific advice following a review of the restrictions initiated more than 18 months ago, prior to Donald Trump re-election as President for a second term.
The US buys in fresh beef from central and South America, where outbreaks of these diseases have been reported.
Prime minister Anthony Albanese had previously warned we won't back down on biosecurity protections.
'The beef issue was about mad cow disease and about also the fact that beef to Australia couldn't be guaranteed – whether it had also come from Canada or Mexico as well,' he said at a media conference.
Mr Lutnick, who is the US Commerce Secretary had rubbished Anthony Albanese's claims that the laws are to protect Australia from diseases insisting it is simply a protectionist tactic to block American imports.
'Our farmers are blocked from selling almost anywhere. Europe won't let us sell beef, Australia won't let us sell beef,' Mr Lutnick said.
The interviewer interjected to say this was 'because of hormonal chemicals'.
Lutnick replied: 'No, no, that's not why. It's because they just wanna protect, they want to say: oh, what, the seeds are different? Other people in the world are using seeds? Come on, this is nonsense. This is all nonsense. What happens is they block our markets.'
'When we open those markets ...the price of groceries will come down. Let Donald Trump run the global economy. He knows what he's doing. Let him fix it. Let Donald Trump fix the US economy.'
As Australia fights to secure a better deal Mr Lutnick had also warned the US President 'won't back off.'
'I don't think there's any chance the President is going to back off the tariffs. This is the reordering of global trade,'' Mr Lutnick told CNN on Friday AEDT.
'The president is not going to back off. But countries can fix their tariffs, their non-tariff trade barriers, which are much, much rougher. They are the monster that needs to be slayed.
'Then, and only then, will Donald Trump make a deal with each country – when they've really, really changed their ways.'
'Negotiate is talking. No talking. Too late. These countries have abused us and exploited us, as he said yesterday. They need to change their ways, let's see them change their ways. It's going to be a long time, let's see what they do. Not talking. Talking is nonsense.'
Mr Lutnick previously come out swinging against Australia as he strongly defended the 25 per cent tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on steel and aluminium
'Look, you've got dumpers in the rest of the world. Japan dumps steel. China dumps steel. What that means is they make it, they over produce and they sell it dirt cheap to try to drive our guys out of business,' he said.
'The President is here to protect American workers. He's here to protect American industry. We're going to stop that nonsense and bring steel here.
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