Imported Beef Trade Slows as Trump Admin Deliberates

The Trump administration’s mixed messaging on beef imports added fresh uncertainty to the imported beef market this month.

As of May 21, "President Donald Trump’s efforts to lower beef prices has divided top administration officials and some of his closest allies—prompting the White House to halt plans to temporarily reduce import tariffs, according to four people familiar with the talks," reported Politico.

Australia Hits 50% of China's Beef Safeguard Quota in Just 12 Weeks 

Australian beef imports have reached 50% of their annual safeguard quota for 2026 as of March 26, according to the latest announcement from China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) late on Thursday.  

This year's trajectory is well ahead of 2025, hitting the halfway mark just 85 days into the calendar year. 

This rapid exhaustion of the Special Agricultural Safeguard (SSG) quota validates Expana’s latest report of an unprecedented "dash for the door" by exporters, driven by the need to land product before the hefty 55% levy effectively closes the...

A-EU FTA Negotiations Must Rectify Punitive Access

Australia’s red meat industry has issued its clearest message yet on the pending endgame of the Australia-European Union Free Trade Agreement (A-EU FTA) negotiations.

Improved market access is essential, and the FTA is the way to achieve it.

With the EU only allocating quota increases to its trading partners, rather than genuinely liberalising its import regime, Australian negotiators must remain firm.

Andrew McDonald, Chair of the Australia–EU Red Meat Market Access Taskforce, said Australia cannot afford to fall further behind other global suppliers...