Australia has ‘serious concerns’ after China slaps ‘safeguard’ tariffs on beef

The Government has “serious concerns” after China slapped steep tariffs on beef imports in a move Beijing says was protecting Chinese producers.

China’s commerce ministry last week announced 55 per cent duties on beef imports above quota levels, dealing a blow to major suppliers including Australia, Brazil and the US.

The action, which came after a lengthy “safeguard investigation” probing foreign beef supply, was taken to protect China’s domestic industry and was not targeted at any country, according to the ministry.

Agriculture Minister Julie Collins said on Wednesday Australian officials were in talks with Chinese counterparts to ensure “we get the best deal for Australia”.

“I will start by saying we have serious concerns around what China has announced in terms of its safeguard measure,” she told the ABC, stressing that it was “a global measure that applies to all countries equally”.

“What Australia will continue to do, and what we’ve been doing for the past 12 months or so, is working with industry and engaging with the Chinese government and with our counterparts to make sure that we get the best deal for Australia.”

Ms Collins went on to declare Australian beef “the best in the world”, saying she thought “the Chinese market will continue to want Australian beef” and that “other markets across the globe” were looking to buy more.

“We have diversified our agricultural trade – it’s the most diversified it’s ever been – to give Australian primary producers every opportunity to get into markets right across the globe,” she said.

China’s move to tariff beef came after its commerce ministry twice extended the foreign beef supply review.

The ministry launched the review in December 2024.

It was meant to make a decision in August but pushed the deadline back to November 26, and again kicked the deadline back until January 26.

Officials decided the step was needed late last month, according to Australian trade sources, and imposed the new tariffs on January 1.

Australia broke the record for the highest volume of beef exported in a calendar year in December, according to Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA).

MLA put exports at 1.398 million tonnes, pushing them up 15 per cent year-on-year.

China is Australia’s second-largest market and has only increased buying Australian beef due to a trade war with the US.

US tariffs and Chinese counter-tariffs hiked American beef prices in China in 2024, forcing restaurants and consumers alike to search for alternatives.

Australia’s tariff-free beef largely filled the demand.