China has imposed a 55 per cent tariff on beef imports that exceed newly established quota levels, a move that has drawn an angry response from Australian producers. The safeguard measures, announced by Beijing's commerce ministry, are intended to protect a domestic cattle industry still recovering from oversupply.
The total import quota for 2026 covering Australia, Brazil, the US and other countries has been set at 2.7 million tonnes, broadly in line with the record 2.87 million tonnes China imported in 2024. However, the quota is set below the import levels recorded for both Australia and Brazil during the first 11 months of 2025. The investigation leading to the measures was launched last December.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese insisted Australia had not been singled out, describing the move as a general position taken by China. He said Canberra was advocating for Australian industry and expressed confidence in the quality and global demand for Australian beef. Opposition figures were harsher, with Nationals leader David Littleproud calling the tariff 'devastating' and Sussan Ley urging Albanese to use his relationship with President Xi Jinping to secure an exemption.
The Australian Meat Industry Council (AMIC) said it was 'extremely disappointed', with chief executive Tim Ryan arguing the tariffs were unfair and inappropriate given the long-standing, mutually beneficial trade relationship. He warned of severe disruption to trade flows over the measures' duration and said the decision would restrict Chinese consumers' access to safe and reliable Australian beef.
Chinese customs data show beef imports fell 0.3 per cent in the first 11 months of this year to 2.59 million tonnes. Brazil shipped 1.33 million tonnes, well above the quota, while Australia exported 216,050 tonnes in 2024. Senior analyst Hongzhi Xu said Chinese beef imports would decline in 2026 as a result of the measures, noting that domestic cattle farming cannot quickly become competitive.
Mark Thomas, chair of the Western Beef Association, remained defiant, saying there were plenty of other countries willing to take Australian product. The measures take effect on 1 January for three years, with the total quota increasing annually, and are expected to reshape global beef trade flows.
