AUSTRALIAN TARIFF RESOLUTION INTRODUCED BY REP. STUTZMAN

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Marlin Stutzman (IN-03) has introduced a new piece of legislation leading up to President Trump's much-anticipated "Liberation Day". The Protect American Beef Act will grant the President the authority to take actions as necessary, including placing a duty on imported Australian Wagyu beef, to establish a reciprocal trade agreement between the United States and Australia as it concerns beef products.

This legislation requires immediate consideration because:

1. Under the current trade agreement between the U.S. and Australia, the Australian dollar is valued at approximately 35% less than the U.S. dollar. Therefore, Australia can export its Wagyu beef products to the U.S. at a 35% discount.
2. Australia can export beef to the U.S. based on an annual quota of 680,000 metric tons annually of which 63,000 metric tons are Wagyu.
   1. This agreement does not allow the U.S. to export ANY beef products to Australia.
   2. From January 2024 to January 2025 Australian Wagyu exports captured 48% of the U.S. Wagyu market and 70% of the Wagyu food service (restaurant) market.

To level the playing field for American Wagyu farmers, Rep. Stutzman’s bill opens the door for the President to place a tariff of up to 70% on Wagyu meat, semen, and conventional embryos imported from Australia. This step is necessary to create a competitive balance in the two trade markets and fix the current one-sided status quo. 

“Australians are taking advantage of the American Wagyu producer,” said Rep. Stutzman. “This legislation will even the trade landscape for hard-working cattle farmers in the U.S. It will also protect the integrity and quality of Wagyu beef imported from Australia as the country continually engages in corner-cutting production and commerce practices. American farmers are the most productive and efficient in the world. Passing this bill is key to supporting their continued success."

Contact: Ron Kovach – ron.kovach@mail.house.gov