China Imposes Tariff on Beef Imports

Protectionist Measure to Support Domestic Industry

In a move to protect its domestic livestock industry, China has announced the imposition of a 55% tariff on beef imports from several countries, including Australia, Brazil, and the US ¹

. This decision, effective from January 2026 to December 2028, comes as China's domestic beef prices have been declining due to over-importation ².

Annual Quotas and Tariff Application

Each of the affected countries has been allocated an annual quota for beef imports. Only imports that exceed these quotas will be subject to the 55% tariff ². The quotas are set to increase slightly each year, with the tariff rate to be gradually reduced ². For 2026, Brazil has been allocated a quota of 1.1 million tons, Argentina around half that amount, Australia 200,000 tons, and the US 164,000 tons ³.

Impact on Global Beef Trade

The imposition of this tariff is expected to have significant implications for global beef trade. Australia, Brazil, and the US are among the world's largest beef exporters, and China is a crucial market for these countries ¹

. The tariff could lead to a reduction in beef exports to China from these countries, potentially affecting their economies ².