Editor’s note: Since this item was published yesterday (Saturday), the Meat Import Council of America has sought clarification from the White House about the extent of tariff withdrawals on beef from Brazil. MICA said based on information currently available, it believes Brazil’s 40pc additional tariff remains in effect. Only the 10pc reciprocal tariff appears to have been removed on Brazil, it said. Other US trade sources are now convinced that Brazil’s tariff level drops by only 10pc, with 40pc tariffs imposed in August and other quota-tied fees on Brazilian imports remaining in effect. While Brazil had a 50pc tariff on in-quota shipments and a 26.4pc tariff on out-of-quota shipments (totalling 76.4pc), that has now been reduced by 10 percentage points, one source said.

Beef Central will seek to clarify the matter further on Monday, although US contacts will not return to work until late evening on Monday, Australian time. The tariff difference between Australian and Brazilian imports will have a material effect on beef trade into the US next year. 

UNITED States president Donald Trump has delivered another spectacular backflip, removing ‘almost all’ tariffs imposed back in April on a range of food items including imported beef.

Earlier today, Australian time, President Trump signed Executive Orders removing reciprocal tariffs on a range of agricultural goods including most beef imports, most of which were applied as part of his ‘Liberation Day’ tariff impositions made in June ago.

The measure, which took the market completely by surprise, is effective from today, but it means the first beef under the tariff waiver will not arrive in the US for some weeks, at earliest.

While all beef exporters to the US were impacted by Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ measures in April, Australia was given only a 10pc tariff impost – much lower than Brazil (50pc, plus earlier 26.4pc tariff imposed since January for fill its quota share).

The news comes as US domestic beef prices have soared to blistering levels this year, driven by a domestic cattle herd at 75 year lows following earlier drought. Food inflation has became a major issue for US consumers as the year has unfolded.

Consumer Price Index data for September suggested ground beef was almost 13pc more expensive for US consumers than this time last year, and steaks almost 17pc higher, Reuters reported. Increases for both were the largest in more than three years, dating back to COVID era shortages.

For the detail on Trump’s announcements, the White House Executive Order can be accessed here, and a link to a list of exempt products here.

Because Australia was at the bottom of the spectrum for Trump’s reciprocal tariffs announced in June, it gave Australian exporters an ‘advantage over major export competitors in the US, like Brazil. That may now reduce as a result of today’s announcement,

However some uncertainty still exists among US meat industry bodies about whether the latest measures cover both tariffs on Brazilian beef imports (see editor’s note above).

Clarification on this will be added here from the Meat Import Council of America when it arrives.

Australian exporters, cattle producers welcome ‘freer trade’

Australian red meat industry representatives immediately welcomed the White House moves.

The Australian Meat Industry Council said the this reversal comes after an earlier imposition in April 2025 of a 10pc baseline tariff on all imports from Australia.

“AMIC welcomes the news out of the US that tariffs on imports of Australian beef have been removed,” AMIC chief executive Tim Ryan said.

“This development reinforces the value of open and fair trade for the Australian meat sector and underscores the importance of reliable market access and rules-based trade,” he said.

“AMIC will always advocate for free and fair trade for Australian meat businesses so they can continue to provide high-quality nutritious food to consumers around the world. The US consumer will be the primary beneficiary of these latest changes.”

Australian meat is a significant input into US food manufacturing and is a reliable, safe protein for US consumers, an AMIC statement said. The US is an important, long-standing, and valued trading partner for Australian red meat.

“United States demand for Australian beef has never been stronger, and this decision will ensure that American consumers will continue to have access to well-priced quality Australian product, which we have been trading to the US for over 50 years,” Mr Ryan said.

Meat & Livestock Australia managing director Michael Crowley said MLA welcomed the news out of the US that tariffs on Australian beef have been removed.

“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,” he said.

So far in 2025, Australia has exported 370,357 tonnes of beef to the US, 17 percent more than the same period last year.

The National Farmers Federation welcomed the news, saying it had long championed free and fair trade, not just for agriculture but all industries, recognising its role in global economic growth, stability and food security.

Australian agriculture is unwavering in its commitment to this, NFF said in a statement.

“The US is a key trading partner for Australian agriculture – particularly for beef, wine and sheepmeat – and is central to global trading frameworks.”

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.”

The US and Australia have a deep and multifaceted agricultural relationship spanning goods and services trade, deep investment, two-way flows and people-to-people links, the NFF said.

“Farmers and Australia’s interests are best served by a free, fair and predictable global trading environment,” it said.

Federal Trade Minister Don Farrell said tariffs were an act of economic self-harm, and ultimately hurts American consumers.

“We maintain our position that tariffs on any Australian products are unjustified, and continue to advocate for their removal,” he said.

Last week, Trump blamed collusion among the US’s four largest meat-packing companies for the rise in meat prices, launching an investigation through the Justice Department. That decision came despite huge losses being recorded by US beef packers, based on record high livestock prices driven by shortage of supply, at the same time that US beef demand remains high.

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the move fitted President Trump’s broader strategy to create tariff exemptions for key goods and sectors.