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Australia raises the steaks with Trump, drops US beef import curbs

Australia raises the steaks with Trump, drops US beef import curbs

Australia lifted on Thursday strict biosecurity restrictions on beef imports from the US after an extensive scientific and risk review, likely removing a key concern for US President Donald Trump's administration over bilateral trade.
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Agriculture Minister Julie Collins said Australia was satisfied with the measures put in place by the United States to effectively manage biosecurity risks.
'The US Beef Imports Review has undergone a rigorous science and risk-based assessment over the past decade,' Collins said in a statement.
'The … government will never compromise on biosecurity.'
News of Australia lifting the curbs was first reported by the Australian Financial Review.
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The report said Australia will use the easing of rules to argue its case for the US to wind back 50 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminium and Trump's threat to impose a 200 per cent tariff on pharmaceuticals.
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