Australia Lifts Ban On US Beef After Years Of Trade Tensions

Australia has lifted a long-standing ban on U.S. beef imports, a move hailed by U.S. President Donald Trump as a "historic win" and proof of American beef's safety and quality. Trump celebrated the policy change on social media, promising significant sales growth to Australia and warning other countries that reject U.S. beef. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer called the decision a "major milestone" in lowering trade barriers and securing market access for American farmers, crediting Trump’s leadership for unlocking this access. The ban, in place since 2003 due to concerns over mad cow disease, was eased following an independent assessment of U.S. biosecurity practices, though analysts expect limited import increases due to Australia's strong domestic beef production and exports. The decision also comes after a period of strained trade relations, during which Trump threatened tariffs on Australian goods. Australian officials emphasize that the change reflects improvements in U.S. practices rather than trade negotiations and note Australia's reputation for high biosecurity standards and clean agricultural products.