What Trump's latest tariffs mean for Aussie livestock producers

Australian sheepmeat and goatmeat have been caught up in US President Donald Trump's latest tariff tantrum, but Australian beef will remain exempt.

After the US Supreme Court deemed much of the country's "Liberation Day" Emergency Powers Act tariffs unlawful on Friday, President Trump announced temporary tariffs of 10% using different powers, which he later hiked to 15% through a statement via Truth Social over the weekend.

"Please let this statement serve to represent that I, as President of the United States of America, will be, effective immediately, raising the 10% Worldwide Tariff on Countries, many of which have been “ripping” the U.S. off for decades, without retribution (until I came along!), to the fully allowed, and legally tested, 15% level. During the next short number of months, the Trump Administration will determine and issue the new and legally permissible Tariffs, which will continue our extraordinarily successful process of Making America Great Again," President Trump wrote on the platform.

In a statement on Monday morning Meat & Livestock Australia Managing Director Michael Crowley confirmed the US Government's decision to introduce a 15% baseline tariff on all imports, would not impact the 0% beef tariff deal struck between the two countries last November.

"Unfortunately, Australian sheepmeat and goatmeat will see tariffs increase from 10% to 15% under the new arrangements," Mr Crowley said.

"MLA will work with industry and the Australian Government to navigate the challenges this new tariff hike will impose."

Australian Trade Minister Don Farrell told APlus News that Australia believes in free and fair trade.

"We have consistently advocated against these unjustified tariffs," he said on Monday.

"We are working closely with our Embassy in Washington to assess the implications and examine all options."

Minister Farrell failed to answer a question about whether he could confirm Australia beef exports would be impacted when asked, but did say: "Exports facing the reciprocal tariff and are now subject to the new global surcharge".

This would support MLA's position that beef remains exempt from any tariffs at this stage.

Minister Farrell also declined to comment about whether or not he would be meeting with the Trump administration during a visit to the US this week, pre-arranged to promote Australia at a G'Day USA event.

Australian Meat Industry Council (AMIC) CEO Tim Ryan said the meat industry representative body was working with its partners in government and industry to get a firm understanding of the application of the new tariffs, including confirmation that the 15% will not apply to beef exports and when the tariffs will enter into force.

“Regardless, it appears that sheepmeat and goatmeat exports will now face an increase in applied tariff from 10% to 15%, with Australia also losing any comparative advantage we had held under the previous tariff arrangements," Mr Ryan said.

“These changes come at a particularly difficult time for the Australian sheepmeat supply chain, with processors and exporters trading on thin or negative margins amid high livestock prices and soft demand."

He said the developments reintroduced significant uncertainty and costs for Australian exporters and US consumers.

Both MLA and AMIC said they would continue to work with the Australian government and industry partners to get more information and advocate for the industry's interests.

The United States was Australia’s number one export market for beef, lamb and goatmeat in 2025, highlighting the importance of this trading relationship.