Australia’s beef industry has hit out at China’s decision to slap huge tariffs on imports in a move a peak body claims will affect more than $1bn worth of trade.
From January 1, 2026, overseas importers will face a 55 per cent tariff for beef imports to China that exceed quota levels.
In 2026, this threshold will be 2.7 million metric tonnes, with the “safeguard measures” applying for at least three years and the quota levels increasing annually.
The changes are designed to address increasing import levels that have “seriously” damaged China’s domestic industry, according to the Chinese government.
As of 2024, Australia accounted for about 8 per cent of China’s overall beef imports.
The Australian Meat Industry Council (AMIC) criticised the move, saying it was “extremely disappointed” with the announcement.
The changes would have the potential to reduce Australian beef exports to China by about one-third compared with the past year, which accounted for trade worth more than $A1bn, it said.
“This decision appears to reward other countries who have surged the volume of beef exported to the Chinese market in recent years,” AMIC chief executive Tim Ryan said.
“This decision will have a severe impact on trade flows to China over the duration of the measures’ enforcement, disrupt the longstanding relationships fostered under the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement, and restrict the ability for Chinese consumers to access safe and reliable Australian beef.”
Along with Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA), AMIC complied with the Chinese government’s year-long investigation preceding the changes, the peak body said, including providing formal evidence at in-person hearings in China and hosting Chinese investigators in Australia.
During this period, AMIC and MLA “repeatedly stressed” Australia’s position as a trusted and reliable source of beef for China and their role in meeting the country’s domestic consumer demand, Mr Ryan said.
“Imports of Australian beef are not a cause of damage to the domestic beef industry in China,” he said.
AMIC plans to lobby the Australian and Chinese government to consider the consequences of the measures.
“We will make strong representations on our members’ behalf to the Australian and Chinese governments regarding the severe and unnecessary impact of these new measures,” Mr Ryan said.
“Regardless of our disappointment with these safeguard measures, AMIC will continue to work constructively with our Chinese counterparts to mutually improve our respective industries for long-term prosperity.”
‘Australia not singled out’: PM
Anthony Albanese has confirmed Australian officials are communicating with their Chinese counterparts over the massive tariffs.
The Prime Minister emphasised Australia was not being targeted by China’s policy, and the move had been a broad one.
“This is something that wasn’t Australia being singled out,” he told reporters on Thursday.
“This is a general position that China has put.
“We are advocating, as we always do, for Australian industry.”
Pressed on the potential impacts of the announcement, Mr Albanese declined to go into specifics, instead pointing to his belief that Australian beef was “the best in the world”.
“We compete in the world very well, and our products are in great demand right around the world, we expect that will continue to be so,” he said.
“The Australian beef industry has never been stronger than it is today as we enter 2026.”
‘Worrying’: Ley on trade threat
Sussan Ley has described the new tariffs as “worrying”, and revealed the action she thinks Mr Albanese should take to protect Australian producers.
“Australian beef is the best beef in the world and our trade with China is important,” the Opposition Leader told reporters on Thursday.
“Now to see that hesitation and threat that we have had reports of today is worrying.
“So what the Prime Minister needs to do is leverage the very good relationship that he tells us he has with President Xi, and make sure he makes contact, and makes it very clear that Australia should not be included in any of these arrangements when it comes to restrictions on the trade of beef to China, or additional tariffs that may be placed on that trade.”
In terms of Mr Albanese advocating the interests of Australian beef producers, Ms Ley added local industry should “expect no less” of the prime minister.
‘Devastating’: Littleproud blasts tariff
Nationals leader David Littleproud has slammed the Chinese tariff on overseas beef imports as “extremely disappointing”.
“China’s announcement is devastating to the beef industry this year, but unfortunately it is also the latest development of failures under the Albanese government,” Mr Littleproud said in a statement.
“The Prime Minister and Trade Minister must make urgent representations to their counterparts in Beijing.”
