.jpg)
6 hours ago
1
Article content
(Bloomberg) — Australia should maintain its cautious approach to the Trump administration’s “reciprocal” tariffs, despite the potential impact on the beef industry which makes up a major part of the nation’s agricultural exports to the US, according to a government trade envoy.
THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
- Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.
- Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.
- Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.
- National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.
- Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.
SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
- Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.
- Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.
- Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.
- National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.
- Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.
REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
- Access articles from across Canada with one account.
- Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.
- Enjoy additional articles per month.
- Get email updates from your favourite authors.
THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
- Access articles from across Canada with one account
- Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments
- Enjoy additional articles per month
- Get email updates from your favourite authors
Sign In or Create an Account
or
Article content
When considering the tariff feuds between the US and other major trading partners, such as Mexico and Canada, it was better for Australia to “wait and see” rather than attempting to retaliate, Special Representative for Australian Agriculture Su McCluskey said.
Article content
Article content
Article content
“If you were to try and push back, what will be the consequences?” McCluskey told reporters at the Rural Press Club in Canberra on Thursday, when asked about the impact of the US levies on the beef industry.
Article content
By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.
Article content
Australia’s beef exports to the US, which last year totaled about 400,000 tons worth about A$4.2 billion ($2.7 billion), now are subject to a 10% tariff under President Donald Trump. While that’s the lowest level of penalties globally, the nation’s government has been singled out for particular criticism by his administration, which says the agriculture biosecurity regime in Australia is too strict.
Article content
McCluskey said some of Australia’s partners in Southeast Asia had been hit with higher tariffs, and that any further trade disruptions between China and the US might lead to “a lot more competition for some of those markets.”
Article content
There could be no concessions to the US on biosecurity, which was “critically important to us,” she said.
Article content
There has been no sign yet of a major fall in exports of Australian beef to the US after the tariffs came into effect in April. Meat and Livestock Australia’s database showed only a slight drop in shipped weight of stock to the US West Coast for May. In the year to date, there has still been an overall rise in beef and veal shipments to the US.
Article content
Advertisement 1
English (US)