Trump’s “Liberation Day” announcement will apply tariffs to around 75 countries worldwide.
Australia has escaped relatively lightly after the Trump administration announced global tariffs on “liberation day” despite lobbying for stricter taxes in Australia.
The April 2nd announcement, known as the “liberation date,” revealed the global baseline 10% minimum tariffs in around 75 countries for all goods heading to the US.
President Donald Trump specifically states that Australia’s local biosecurity restrictions are a hurdle for US companies that want to enter the local market.
Australia will not accept US imports of beef, pork, cooked chicken or pear due to various disease concerns.
Since 2003, Australia has shut down US beef imports amid fears of bovine spore encephalopathy.
Australia does not charge US tariffs directly, but the Trump administration has taken into account Australia’s biosecurity fees and regulatory hurdles.
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“Australians… they’re amazing people, they’re all great, but they’re banning American beef,” Trump told reporters on March 2.
WASHINGTON, DC-April 2: US President Donald Trump holds a copy of the 2025 National Trade Estimate Report speaks at the “American Wealthy Again” trade announcement event at the Rose Garden held at the White House in Washington, DC on April 2, 2025. Touting the event as “liberation day,” Trump will announce additional tariffs targeting goods imported into the US Photos by Photos Somodevilla/Getty Images
“Even so, last year alone we imported US$3 billion in Australian beef.
“They shouldn’t have any of our beef. They don’t want it because they don’t want it to affect their farmers. And I don’t blame them, but we (we’ve been doing the same thing since midnight tonight.”
The US has Australia’s largest lean meat marketing accounting accounting for approximately 400,000 tons.
Labour government helps exporters find new markets
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called an immediate press conference in response to tariffs, saying he opposed relations between the two countries.
“President Trump mentioned mutual tariffs. Mutual tariffs would be zero instead of 10%,” he argued.
“The administration’s tariffs are unfounded and opposed to the basis of our partnership.
“This is not a friend’s act.”
Albanese said tariffs will increase global economic uncertainty and boost US costs.
“The existing free trade agreements with the US include a dispute resolution mechanism,” Albanese said.
Cows from Lismore, New South Wales, Australian cows on March 1, 2022. Saeed Khan/AFP via Getty Images
“We support our continued constructive engagement with our US friends, so we want to solve this problem without resorting to using them.”
The Prime Minister has announced a $50 million fund to help agricultural exporters find new markets
“We will establish a new economic resilience program through the National Reconstruction Fund, which will provide businesses with $1 billion in zero loans to take advantage of new export opportunities,” Albanese said.
“Just as we are already encouraging more people to buy Australians, our labour government will also buy Australians.”
The Prime Minister also designated a “critical mineral strategic reserve,” but noted that details will be revealed later.
Meanwhile, Trade Minister Don Farrell expressed his desire to have a free trade agreement with the European Union.
“The world has changed. As of today, the world is changing for Europe.
“Europe is now being reverted to much higher tariffs on the US. If they are wise, then it would be a better offer on the issue they signed the last time.
Opposition parties continued to push Labour on their negotiation skills.
“We need to have the ability to stand up, negotiate and reach the best possible outcome for our country, and I think that’s part of this election,” said opposition leader Peter Dutton on 2GB radio.
Lower end of customs
The 10% baseline tariffs received by Australia are at the bottom of the “release date” tariffs.
Several Asian countries have beenar the brunt of the heavy tariffs of the regime, including Cambodia. Cambodia will charge 97% tariffs on US goods, Vietnam 90%, Sri Lanka 88%, Bangladesh 74, Thailand 72, China 67, Indonesia 64 and Thailand Wang 64.
Trump raised an example of motorcycle imports, saying the US has charged 2.4% tariffs on other countries.
“On the other hand, Thailand and others charge much higher prices, such as 60%, India charges 70%, Vietnam’s 75%, others charge even higher prices,” Trump said.
He also reiterated the issue that US movement exports are being met with extremely high tariffs from the European Union, India, South Korea and Japan.
“The US imposes a 2.5% tariff on passenger car imports (including internal combustion engines), while the European Union (10%) and India (70%) are tasked with much higher duties on the same product,” the White House fact sheet states.
The baseline percentage of 10 is below the 25% tariffs imposed on Australia’s steel and aluminum exports.
Tim Ryan, CEO of Australia’s Meat Industry Council, said AAP Australia could survive the storm due to high demand for Australian beef.
“As Australia’s global demand for high-quality red meat continues to grow, supply chains are well positioned to accommodate changing international trade environments,” he said.
