Australia to reduce US beef import restrictions denounced by Trump as ban
Collins said Thursday that relaxing the restrictions designed to keep Australia free of mad cow disease, also known as bovine spongiform encephalopathy or BSE, among its cattle herds would not compromise biosecurity.
'Australia stands for open and free trade — our cattle industry has significantly benefited from this," Collins said in a statement.
Australia has allowed imports of beef grown in the United States since 2019. But Australia has not allowed imports from the US of beef sourced from Canada or Mexico because of the disease risk.
But the US has recently introduced additional movement controls that identify and trace all cattle from Mexico and Canada to their farms of origin.
US cattle import controls satisfy Australian authorities Australian authorities were 'satisfied the strengthened control measures put in place by the US effectively manage biosecurity risks," Collins said.
'Australia bans — and they're wonderful people, and wonderful everything — but they ban American beef," Trump told reporters then.
'Yet we imported USD 3 billion of Australian beef from them just last year alone. They won't take any of our beef. They don't want it because they don't want it to affect their farmers and, you know, I don't blame them, but we're doing the same thing right now," Trump added.
Lawmaker fears appeasing Trump endangers Australian cattle industry Opposition lawmaker David Littleproud suspected the government was endangering Australia's cattle industry to appease Trump.
'I want to see the science and it should be predicated on science. I'm suspicious of the speed at which this has been done," Littleproud told reporters.
'We need to give confidence to the industry, but also to you (the public): this is not just about animal welfare, this is about human welfare, this is about BSE potentially coming into this country and having a human impact, so I think it's important the government's very transparent about the science and I don't think it's even beyond the question to have an independent panel review that science to give confidence to everybody," he added.
Around 70 per cent of Australian beef is exported. Producers fear that export market would vanish overnight if diseases including mad cow or foot-and-mouth disease infected Australian cattle.
Will Evans, chief executive of Cattle Australia who represents more than 52,000 grass-fed beef producers across the nation, said he was confident the agriculture department had taken a cautious approach toward US imports.
'The department's undertaken a technical scientific assessment and we have to put faith in them. They've made this assessment themselves. They've said: 'We've looked at this, we've looked at the best science, this is a decision that we feel comfortable with,'" Evans told the Australian Broadcasting Corp.
'When you have a 75 billion (Australian dollar, USD 50 billion) industry relying on them not making this mistake, I'm sure they've been very cautious in their decision-making," he added.
US beef prices rise because of drought and a domestic cattle shortage Beef prices have been rising in the US due to factors that include drought and shrinking domestic herd numbers.
The average price of a pound of ground beef in the US rose to USD 6.12 in June, up nearly 12 per cent from a year ago, according to US government data. The average price of all uncooked beef steaks rose 8 per cent to USD 11.49 per pound.
Australia's opposition to any US tariffs will be high on the agenda when Prime Minister Anthony Albanese secures his first face-to-face meeting with Trump.
Albanese and Trump were to hold a one-on-one meeting on the sidelines of a Group of Seven summit in Canada last month, but the US president left early.
top videos
View all
Albanese expects the pair will meet this year, although no date has been announced.
The two countries have had a bilateral free trade deal for 20 years and the US has maintained a trade surplus with Australia for decades. (AP) GRS GRS
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - PTI) view comments
First Published:
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NDTV
11 minutes ago
- NDTV
After Trump Mediation Efforts, Thai, Cambodian Leaders Agree To Talks Over Border Dispute
Thai and Cambodian leaders will meet in Malaysia for talks to end hostilities, a spokesperson of the Thai prime minister's office said on Sunday. This came following mediation efforts by US President Donald Trump to end the deadly border dispute. The fighting, now in its fourth day, has killed at least 34 people and displaced more than 168,000. Jirayu Huangsap said Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai will attend Monday's talks in response to an invitation from Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim "to discuss peace efforts in the region." The spokesperson also said Phumtham's Cambodian counterpart Hun Manet will also attend the talks, though this was not immediately confirmed by the Cambodian side. Trump posted on Truth Social on Saturday that he spoke to the leaders of Thailand and Cambodia and suggested he would not move forward with trade agreements with either country if the hostilities continued. He later said both sides agreed to meet to negotiate a ceasefire. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said Sunday his country agreed to pursue an "immediate and unconditional ceasefire." He said Trump told him that Thailand had also agreed to halt attacks following Trump's conversation with Acting Thai Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. "This is positive news for the soldiers and people of both countries," Hun Manet said in a statement. He said he tasked his deputy, Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn, to coordinate next steps with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and to engage directly with Thailand's foreign minister to implement the ceasefire. Thailand expressed cautious support. Phumtham thanked Trump and said that Thailand agreed in principle to a ceasefire but stressed the need for "sincere intention" from Cambodia, the Thai Foreign Ministry said. Phumtam called for swift bilateral talks to discuss concrete steps toward a peaceful resolution, it said. The fighting first flared Thursday after a land mine explosion along the border wounded five Thai soldiers. Both sides blamed each other for starting the clashes. Both countries recalled their ambassadors and Thailand closed its border crossings with Cambodia. Despite the diplomatic efforts, fighting continued Sunday along parts of the contested border, with both sides refusing to budge and trading blame over renewed shelling and troop movements. Col. Richa Suksowanont, a Thai army deputy spokesperson, said Cambodian forces fired heavy artillery into Surin province, including at civilian homes early Sunday. He said Cambodia also launched rocket attacks targeting the ancient Ta Muen Thom temple claimed by both countries, and other areas in a bid to reclaim territory secured by Thai troops. Thai forces responded with long-range artillery to strike Cambodian artillery and rocket launchers. Richa said Trump's efforts to mediate was a "separate matter." The battlefield operations will continue and a ceasefire can only happen if Cambodia formally initiates negotiations, he added. "Any cessation of hostilities cannot be reached while Cambodia is severely lacking in good faith and repeatedly violating the basic principles of human rights and humanitarian law," Thailand's Foreign Ministry said separately. Cambodian Defense Ministry spokesperson Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata accused Thai forces of escalating the violence with bombardment of Cambodian territory early Sunday, followed by a "large-scale incursion" involving tanks and ground troops in multiple areas. "Such actions undermine all efforts toward peaceful resolution and expose Thailand's clear intent to escalate rather than de-escalate the conflict," she said. Thailand on Sunday reported a new death of a soldier, bringing the total number of fatalities to 21, mostly civilians. Cambodia said 13 people have been killed. More than 131,000 people in Thailand have evacuated to safe locations and over 37,000 people fled from three Cambodian provinces. Many border villages are mostly deserted, with many schools and hospitals shut. Pichayut Surasit, an air-conditioning technician in Thailand, said the sudden outbreak of fighting meant leaving his work in Bangkok to return home to protect his family. "I didn't have the heart to continue with my work when I heard the news. I wanted to come back as soon as possible, but I had to wait until the evening," he said. Now at a shelter in Surin housing some 6,000 evacuees, Pichayut worries for his wife and twin daughters, hoping the conflict will end soon so they can return to their home in Kap Choeng district, one of the hardest hit by shelling. Bualee Chanduang, a local vendor who moved to the same shelter Thursday with her family and pet rabbit, is counting on swift negotiations to end the violence. "I pray for God to help that both sides can agree to talk and end this war," she said. The U.N. Security Council has called on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, a regional bloc, to mediate peace between the two members. Human Rights Watch has condemned the reported use of cluster munitions, weapons banned by International law, in populated areas, and urged both governments to protect civilians. The 800-kilometer (500-mile) frontier between Thailand and Cambodia has been disputed for decades, but past confrontations have been limited and brief. The latest tensions flared in May when a Cambodian soldier was killed in a confrontation that created a diplomatic rift and roiled Thailand's domestic politics.
News18
16 minutes ago
- News18
US, EU reach an across the board agreement on tariffs
Edinburgh(UK), Jul 27(AP) The United States and the European Union reached a tariff deal Sunday after a brief meeting between President Donald Trump and European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen. A White House deadline was days away for imposing punishing import taxes on the 27-member EU, which is America's leading global trading partner. 'It was a very interesting negotiation. I think it's going to be great for both parties," Trump said. The make-or-break talks were meant to head off trade penalties — and promised retaliation from Europe — that could have sent shock waves through economies around the globe. Trump and von der Leyen held private talks at one of Trump's golf courses in Scotland, then emerged a short time later saying they had reached an 'across the board" agreement. In remarks before the session, Trump pledged to change what he characterised as 'a very one-sided transaction, very unfair to the United States." 'I think the main sticking point is fairness," he said while also noting, 'We've had a hard time with trade with Europe, a very hard time." Von der Leyen had said the US and EU combined have the world's largest trade volume, encompassing hundreds of millions of people and trillions of dollars. Trump said the stakes involved meant of making a deal, 'We should give it a shot." Von der Leyen said Trump was 'known as a tough negotiator and dealmaker" which caused the president to interject with "but fair." She said that, if they are successful, 'I think it would be the biggest deal each of us has ever struck." For months, Trump has threatened most of the world with large tariffs in hopes of shrinking major US trade deficits with many key trading partners. More recently, he had hinted that any deal with the EU would have to 'buy down" the currently scheduled tariff rate of 30 per cent. The Republican president pointed to a recent US agreement with Japan that set tariff rates for many goods at 15 per cent and suggested the EU could agree to something similar. Asked if he would be willing to accept tariff rates lower than that, Trump said 'no." As for the threat of retaliation from the Europeans, he said: 'They'll do what they have to do." Their meeting came after Trump played golfed for the second straight day at his Turnberry course, this time with a group that included sons Eric and Donald Jr The president's five-day visit to Scotland is built around golf and promoting properties bearing his name. A small group of demonstrators at the course waved American flags and raised a sign criticizing British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who plans his own Turnberry meeting with Trump on Monday. Other voices could be heard cheering and chanting 'Trump! Trump!" as he played nearby. On Tuesday, Trump will be in Aberdeen, in northeastern Scotland, where his family has another golf course and is opening a third next month. The president and his sons plan to help cut the ribbon on the new course. Joining von der Leyen were Maros Sefcovic, the EU's chief trade negotiator; Björn Seibert, the head of von der Leyen's Cabinet; Sabine Weyand, the commission's directorate-general for trade, and Tomas Baert, head of the trade and agriculture at the EU's delegation to the US. The deadline for the Trump administration to begin imposing tariffs has shifted in recent weeks but was now firm, the administration insisted. 'No extensions, no more grace periods. August 1, the tariffs are set, they'll go into place, Customs will start collecting the money and off we go," US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told 'Fox News Sunday." He added, however, that even after that 'people can still talk to President Trump. I mean, he's always willing to listen." Without an agreement, the EU said it was prepared to retaliate with tariffs on hundreds of American products, ranging from beef and auto parts to beer and Boeing airplanes. If Trump eventually made good on his threat of tariffs against Europe, it could meant that everything from French cheese and Italian leather goods to German electronics and Spanish pharmaceuticals would be more expensive in the United States. The US and Britain, meanwhile, announced a trade framework in May and a larger agreement last month during the Group of Seven meeting in Canada. Trump says that deal is concluded and that he and Starmer will discuss other matters — though the White House has suggested it still needs some polishing. (AP) RD RD view comments First Published: July 27, 2025, 23:45 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
32 minutes ago
- Time of India
US, EU clinch trade pact ahead of August 1 deadline; Trump says 'good deal for everybody'
US President Donald Trump on Sunday announced that he had reached a long-anticipated trade agreement with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen , after a high-stakes meeting at his Turnberry golf resort in Scotland. 'We have reached a deal. It's a good deal for everybody,' Trump told reporters, describing the outcome as a significant win for both sides. Von der Leyen echoed the sentiment, calling the agreement 'a good deal' for Europe as well. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Finance Cybersecurity CXO Data Science Project Management Management healthcare MCA Degree PGDM Data Analytics MBA Leadership Technology Others Public Policy Design Thinking Data Science Healthcare Digital Marketing Operations Management others Artificial Intelligence Product Management Skills you'll gain: Duration: 7 Months S P Jain Institute of Management and Research CERT-SPJIMR Fintech & Blockchain India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 9 Months IIM Calcutta SEPO - IIMC CFO India Starts on undefined Get Details The breakthrough comes just days before the August 1 tariff deadline, which had loomed large over transatlantic trade as the EU and the US are each other's largest trade partners and account for 1/3 of all global trade. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 4BHK Villas with Private Garden ATS Infrastructure Ltd Learn More Undo While official details of the pact have not yet been released, EU and US officials had earlier indicated that the agreement would likely include a 15% baseline tariff on most EU goods—a compromise that falls short of Europe's initial zero-tariff ambition but steers both sides away from a damaging escalation. Talks leading up to the deal involved a flurry of last-minute diplomacy, with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick meeting with EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic ahead of the Trump–von der Leyen summit. Live Events The EU deal marks the fifth trade agreement the Trump adminsitration has drawn up ahead of the implementatio of the so-called "reciprocal tariffs". Earlier this month, the US also inked pacts with Britain, Japan, Indonesia and Vietnam with a deal with India still hanging in the balance. In the absence of a deal, the EU had been preparing countertariffs on $109 billion worth of American goods—an economic standoff that now appears to have been averted. Whether sector-specific levies, such as the 50% duty on European steel and aluminium or pending tariffs on cars and pharmaceuticals, will be lifted or folded into the baseline 15% remains unclear.
