China ‘ignores’ US beef, while Australian farmers benefit

China’s de facto ban on US beef imports is giving Australian producers and exporters an advantage, new analysis shows, as the country is likely to benefit even more from US President Donald Trump’s efforts to reform global trade. The latest Australian government data shows beef exports rose 35% in the first seven months of the year to A$10 billion (US$6.6 billion). Exports to China increased 65%, while exports to the US increased 48%. The growth of the Chinese market, driven largely by the high-quality grain-fed beef segment, marks a radical turnaround for Australia’s livestock industry, which suffered greatly five years ago when Beijing imposed punitive trade measures against Canberra amid diplomatic tensions. China, the world’s largest importer of agricultural commodities, is now using its position to pressure the US, including by suspending soybean orders, despite the recent extension of a trade truce between the two countries. This move began in March 2025, when China refused ...