Trump Reshares: ‘We’ve Struggled to Sell Even One Hamburger in Australia’
Trump utilized social media to back the perspective of Sen. John Barrasso.
The former U.S. President Donald Trump has posted on Truth Social regarding Australia’s tariff policies concerning beef with the United States.
In his post, Trump quoted Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), expressing his concerns over the inability of the United States to market hamburgers in Australia.
The message also highlights that Australia has sold $29 billion worth of beef to the United States and implies that ranchers in Wyoming appreciate Trump’s stance on tariffs.
Various countries, including China, the EU, Switzerland, Vietnam, and Taiwan, have faced much steeper reciprocal tariffs.
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These tariffs, termed “Liberation Day” tariffs, encompass all imports entering the United States, influencing $3 trillion worth of goods.
This announcement follows Trump’s accolades for the Australian populace while advocating for the need to safeguard American farmers.
President Donald Trump arrives to sign an executive order in the East Room of the White House in Washington, on April 8, 2025. SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images
Trump contends that global tariffs will promote fair trade practices, safeguard American employment, and decrease the trade deficit by urging other nations to “adhere to the golden rule in trade: treat us as we treat you.”
How Much Beef Does Australia Export to the United States
In 2024, Australia exported 394,716 tonnes of beef to the United States, valued at $4.16 billion, as per data compiled by Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA).
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimates that the predominant variety of beef—70 to 80 percent—imported into the U.S. consists of lean grinding beef. Additionally, it imports premium Wagyu beef from Australia.
While the new tariff is generating a domestic political discourse and affecting local markets, the Australian Treasury projected on April 7 that its impact on the economy would be minimal.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers instructed the Treasury secretary to provide analysis detailing the economic response.
“However, this analysis does not fully capture the adverse effects of trade tensions. It neglects the influence of uncertainty, fluctuations in financial and economic landscapes, or the potential for further trade disruptions,” Treasury added.
Australia’s gross domestic product (GDP) is projected to decrease by 0.1 percent while inflation is expected to rise by 0.2 percent due to the tariffs, according to the Treasury.
“In the medium term, Australia’s GDP is predicted to be permanently lower, whereas the rise in inflation is anticipated to be temporary,” it noted.
The Treasury suggested that the tariff impacts on GDP in China will surpass those in Australia.
“The GDP effects in China and other nations facing relatively high U.S. tariffs are expected to be significant. Retaliatory measures further exacerbate the impacts. China’s GDP is estimated to be around 0.6 percent reduced in contrast to a no-tariff scenario, primarily owing to the U.S. tariff changes,”
China was subject to a 34 percent U.S. tariff on “Liberation Day” and retaliated with equivalent tariffs on all U.S. products. Trump has since threatened to impose an additional 50 percent tariff.
