Australia opens market to US beef imports amid Trump celebration

Donald Trump has declared Australia’s beef ban reversal a triumph of his trade agenda, boasting that the deal proves the US has the ‘best’ beef in the world.

US President Donald Trump has celebrated Australia’s reversal of its beef import ban, claiming it as a victory for his trade agenda.

Posting on Truth Social, Mr Trump applauded the decision, while his trade chief credited the breakthrough as the “direct result” of the President’s push to confront “unfair trading practices.”

“After many years Australia has agreed to accept American Beef!” he said on his Truth Social platform.

“For a long time, and even though we are great friends, they actually banned our Beef.

“Now, we are going to sell so much to Australia because this is undeniable and irrefutable Proof that U.S. Beef is the Safest and Best in the entire World.

“The other Countries that refuse our magnificent Beef are ON NOTICE. All of our Nation’s Ranchers, who are some of the hardest working and most wonderful people, are smiling today, which means I am smiling too.”

Donald J. Trump Truth Social 07.24.25 07:58 PM EST pic.twitter.com/HBqlmIjj7N

— Fan Donald J. Trump Posts From Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) July 25, 2025

Nationals leader David Littleproud said the Trump Administration’s victory lap over Labor’s decision to allow more US beef into Australia seemed to have “validated” his concern a deal was done before the biosecurity protocols were finalised.

Mr Littleproud said comments in the past 24 hours made by the US Administration were at odds with Labor’s claim that the move was predicated on biosecurity and science.

He added industry was also backing his calls for an independent review into the decision.“We need to know if Labor is sacrificing our high biosecurity standards just so Prime Minister Anthony Albanese can obtain a meeting with US President Donald Trump,” Mr Littleproud said.

“The Prime Minister should be using our strong relationship with the US and our AUKUS deal as a solid reason to obtain a much-needed meeting with President Trump.”

National’s leader David Littleproud said the Trump Administration’s reaction to Labor’s decision “validated” his concerns. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

But Treasurer Jim Chalmers has rejected the Nationals’ characterisation of the beef import decision, saying the call to allow US products from cattle raised or born in Mexico or Canada had followed a “longstanding” process.

“It’s a scientific process that involves experts and scientists and it makes sure that our arrangements are up to scratch,” he said.

“I see that there’s a lot of commentary around this in the last day or two.

“I know that our political opponents want to play their usual low-rent politics over it but this is a long-standing scientific process.

“It’s coming to a conclusion and it’s all about making sure that we have the best arrangements based on the best scientific advice.”

United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer described Australia’s move to open its market to American beef as a “historic win” for US ranchers and an “important moment” in strengthening the trade relationship between the two countries.

American cattle farmers also thanked Mr Trump for securing “another trade win,” hailing the decision as a major boost for the US beef industry.

The Albanese Government has insisted the decision was not linked to ongoing trade negotiations with the US which has criticised Australia’s restrictions on goods including beef, pears and pork.

“For decades, Australia imposed unjustified barriers on US beef, effectively barring US market access,” Ambassador Greer said.

American cattle farmers thanked US President Donald Trump for the “trade win” as they expand to the Australian market. Picture: Chip Somodevilla/ Getty Images via AFP

“Yesterday’s decision by Australia marks a major milestone in lowering trade barriers and securing market access for US farmers and ranchers.

“President Trump is taking decisive action to confront unfair trading practices, and Australia’s decision to unlock market access for US beef is a direct result of his leadership.”

It comes after the federal government announced it would allow the previously banned importation of frozen and fresh beef from the US of cattle raised in Canada in Mexico over biosecurity fears.

The Nationals and agriculture bodies are calling for a review into the decision with fears diseases including mad cow could be imported and decimate the Australian cattle industry.

Mr Greer previously told a Senate hearing that Australia’s restrictions on American pork and beef had been justified by “specious fake science”.

Australia banned American beef imports in 2003 and relaxed restrictions in 2019 for cattle raised in the US, but until now maintained restrictions on supply chains linked to Mexico and Canada. Picture: Andrew Pearson

He had also taken issue with the News Media Bargaining Code which requires social media giants to fairly remunerate news companies for the use of content.

“USTR will continue to engage with America’s trading partners to break down unfair trading practices and ensure that Americans are not fenced out of key markets,” Mr Greer said after the beef announcement.

The decision was also welcomed by America’s National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) which thanked Mr Trump “for delivering yet another trade win for America’s cattle farmers and ranchers”.

“For 20 years, US beef was denied access to Australia while Australia exported $29 billion of beef to US consumers,” NCBA President and Nebraska cattleman Buck Wehrbein said.

“The lack of two-way, science-based trade has been a sticking point for many years, and we are pleased that President Trump has successfully opened the Australian market to American beef

Agriculture Minister Julie Collins says the decision was based on a scientific review and risk assessment. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

“NCBA has spent decades working to correct this trade imbalance and we are proud to have a President who is willing to fight for American farmers and ranchers, expand export markets, and fix unfair trade agreements across the world.”

The NCBA said in the past 20 years, Australia had sold $28 billion of beef to the United States.

NCBA Executive Director of Government Affairs Kent Bacus said the US was the gold standard for “safe and delicious beef”.

“Opening the Australian market to American beef will benefit our producers at home, while also offering Australian consumers the opportunity to enjoy our high-quality beef,” he said.

Tamworth Beef farmer Kevin Tongue says disease outbreaks would devastate the local industry. Picture: Andrew Pearson

“We greatly appreciate President Trump delivering another win for America’s family farmers and ranchers.”

US Trade Secretary Brooke Rollins claimed American ranchers produced the “safest, healthiest beef in the world”.

“It’s absurd that non-scientific trade barriers prevented our beef from being sold to consumers in Australia for the last 20 years,” she said.

“Gone are the days of putting American farmers on the sidelines.

“This is yet another example of the kind of market access the President negotiates to bring America into a new golden age of prosperity, with American agriculture leading the way.”

Originally published as Australia opens market to US beef imports amid Trump celebration