China Imposes 55% Tariff on Australian Beef Imports Amid Domestic Industry Protection
Effective 1 January 2026, China has imposed a 55% tariff on Australian beef imports that exceed a new safeguard quota. This tariff will remain in place for three years as part of measures to protect China's domestic cattle industry amid an oversupply situation, following an investigation initiated in December 2024. The safeguard quota for 2026 is set to total 2.7 million metric tons shared between Australia, Brazil, and the United States, with quotas planned to rise annually. By comparison, total beef imports to China were about 2.87 million tonnes in 2024.
The Australian Meat Industry Council (AMIC) has expressed extreme disappointment in this move, criticizing it as unfair and not reflective of the long-standing trade relationship between China and Australia. The tariff could disrupt the China–Australia Free Trade Agreement and restrict Chinese consumers' access to Australian beef.
In the first eleven months of 2025, beef imports to China fell slightly by 0.3% to approximately 2.59 million tonnes. Brazil led beef exports to China in 2024 with around 1.34 million tonnes, followed by Australia with about 216,050 tonnes. Other significant exporters included Argentina, Uruguay, New Zealand, and the United States.
Analysts have noted that China's domestic beef-cattle farming industry lacks competitiveness compared to Brazil and Argentina, with little expected improvement in the near term through technological or policy changes.
