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China has announced fresh safeguard tariffs of 55% on some beef imports from January 1, targeting shipments that exceed country-wise quotas. The move, aimed at easing pressure on domestic producers amid falling prices, could affect major suppliers such as Brazil, Australia and the United States
China on Wednesday announced it will slap additional 55 percent tariffs on some beef imports starting January 1, a move that could hit major exporters including Brazil, Australia and the United States if shipments cross specified limits.
The decision comes at a time when beef prices inside China have been sliding. Analysts say the fall has been driven by oversupply and weaker demand as the world’s second-largest economy struggles to regain momentum. At the same time, imports have continued to pour in, putting pressure on local producers.
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Imports surge, domestic industry under strain
According to China’s commerce ministry, a government investigation concluded that rising beef imports had hurt the domestic industry, reported AFP. The probe covered a wide range of products, including fresh, frozen, bone-in and boneless beef.
China has become a crucial market for beef-exporting nations such as Brazil, Argentina and Australia, and the steady growth in shipments has reshaped global trade flows. But Beijing now says the balance has tipped too far.
As a result, the additional tariffs will remain in place for three years, until December 31, 2028.
How the safeguard tariffs will work
The ministry described the new levies as “safeguards”, stressing they are not meant to permanently shut out foreign suppliers. Instead, countries exporting beef to China have been assigned annual quotas. Once shipments exceed those limits, the extra 55 percent tariff kicks in.
The quotas are designed to expand slightly each year, offering exporters some room for growth while keeping overall volumes in check.
For 2026, Brazil has been allocated an import quota of 1.1 million tonnes, while Argentina’s cap is roughly half that amount. Australia faces a quota of around 200,000 tonnes, and the United States has a lower ceiling of 164,000 tonnes.
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Australia trade pact partially suspended
In a notable development, the commerce ministry also said it was suspending part of a free trade agreement with Australia that covers beef, adding another layer of complexity to bilateral trade ties.
Still, officials insisted the intent is temporary relief, not long-term protectionism.
“The implementation of safeguards on imported beef is intended to temporarily help the domestic industry get through difficulties, not to restrict normal beef trade,” a spokesperson said in a separate statement, as quoted by AFP.
For exporters, the message is clear. China’s market remains open, but volumes will now be watched far more closely as Beijing tries to steady prices and protect its domestic beef sector.
