The Cattle Call: Australia Cheers Tariff End, Eyes Bigger Prize in Trade Wars

Ah, the relief! You could almost hear a collective sigh of gratitude ripple across the vast plains of Australia, a nation that, for a spell, found itself quite unfairly caught in the crosscurrents of a rather turbulent global trade spat. For years, Australian beef, that wonderfully wholesome product, bore the brunt of tariffs — a significant 17.6 cents per kilogram, to be precise — slapped on by the United States. But for once, good news has arrived from Washington: President Donald Trump has, indeed, lifted those very tariffs.

It’s a victory, make no mistake. And frankly, it’s one that’s been a long time coming. Rewind a bit to May 2018, if you will. The US, under the then-President Trump, was knee-deep in a rather aggressive trade dispute. Targets? Well, they were mainly big players like the European Union, Japan, and China. Yet, in what felt like a truly unfortunate case of mistaken identity, Australia, a staunch ally and certainly no subsidizer of its agricultural products, somehow landed on the naughty list. Imagine that — an innocent bystander, penalised simply for being in the wrong place at the wrong time in the global market. It wasn't fair, not by a long shot.

And what was the consequence of this tariff entanglement? Australian farmers, hardy folk though they are, felt the sting. They saw their cherished market share dwindle, facing an uphill battle to compete when their goods were artificially inflated at the border. The economic ripples, though perhaps subtle to an outsider, were deeply felt in rural communities across the continent. So, yes, this removal? It’s more than just a bureaucratic adjustment; it’s a breath of fresh air, a much-needed shot in the arm for an industry that truly deserved better.

But here’s the thing about human nature, and perhaps national diplomacy too: when one hurdle is cleared, you inevitably start eyeing the next one. While Australia celebrates the beef breakthrough, its sights are firmly set on broader relief. The nation is now, quite rightly, pressing Washington for similar exemptions on steel and aluminum tariffs. We're talking a 10 per cent tariff on aluminum and a hefty 25 per cent on steel — measures that continue to weigh on Australian exports. After all, if the argument holds for beef – that Australia is a close ally whose products don't threaten American industries – shouldn't it apply across the board?

In truth, the logic seems rather sound. Australia has always been, and continues to be, a crucial ally to the United States. Its exports are not designed to undercut or unfairly compete with American domestic production; rather, they fill niches and contribute to a healthy global market. Even within the US, the lifting of the beef tariffs was met with approval from the American beef industry itself, which, you could say, recognised the inherent unfairness and the need for a more stable, predictable international trade environment.

So, where does this leave us? Well, it’s a moment of cautious optimism, a testament to ongoing dialogue and, perhaps, a growing understanding of the nuances of global trade. The cattle are certainly cheering, and their human counterparts are too. But the full picture of fair trade, for Australia, remains a work in progress. One battle won, indeed, but the broader campaign for equitable access and an end to what feels like arbitrary trade barriers continues. And honestly, who could blame them for pushing for more?