Trump escalates trade war: 10% tarrif on Australian imports

U.S. President Donald Trump has today announced plans to impose a minimum 10% tariff on imports from Australia, marking an escalation in his ongoing trade war.

TasFarmers, the peak body for Tasmanian farmers, says Australia must hold steady in the face of new tariffs targeting Australian beef and wine, urging leaders to take a measured response rather than resorting to knee-jerk reactions.

President of TasFarmers, Ian Sauer said the situation needed sensible analysis and there was no need add to the reactionary commentary.

“The first thing we need to do is cool our jets, it’s election season in Australia, and everyone wants to look tough. Retaliation or rash statements won’t help Australian farmers- it never has.

“With tariffs now imposed on Australian beef exports to the U.S., producers' concerns are mounting over potential price drops and broader market instability. 

"While beef exports remain a significant part of Australia’s trade relationship with the U.S., we believe the focus should be on long-term strategy, not short-term panic.

"Tasmanian farmers, the immediate concern is uncertainty, which could lead to lower red meat prices and a ripple effect across agricultural markets. However, industry representatives stress the importance of focusing on new opportunities rather than dwelling on roadblocks.

"The reality is that we export a lot to America, but we are also a net importer of US goods. If you step back and look at it, criticisms about Australia’s biosecurity measures in fact gives us a competitive edge. We’ve built a strong global reputation because our standards are based on science, not politics,” 

"We can’t stress enough the importance of focusing on new opportunities rather than dwelling on roadblocks.

“The smart move now is to analyse the situation, gather facts, and identify alternative markets. There’s already talk about increasing beef exports to China, and that’s just one option,” Mr Sauer said. 

“We wrote to the Prime Minister months ago raising concerns about tariffs, and we’ve been working closely with the government on this. We’ve had a response, and we’ll keep pressing for action that benefits our producers.”

“This is the time for team Tasmania, and agriculture in Australia to stand together. It not a time for shadow boxing, political point-scoring, just smart, proactive work to keep our industry strong.”