Rep. Marlin Stutzman (R-IN) introduced legislation that will place a 70% tariff on wagyu beef and other cattle-related imports from Australia.
Stuzman’s bill comes ahead of Wednesday, which President Donald Trump dubbed “Liberation Day,” when he plans to announce reciprocal tariffs on other countries to match those placed on U.S. products.
“Australians are taking advantage of the American Wagyu producer,” Stutzman said. “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.”
Since 2003, Australia has banned American imports of uncooked beef due to biosecurity concerns related to mad cow disease following an outbreak in North America that year. Meanwhile, Australia can export beef to the United States on an annual quota of 680,000 metric tons, and 63,000 metric tons are wagyu.
Wagyu beef is higher in price than other beef products because the cattle have to be raised for longer to allow for more intramuscular fat to develop and they are fed higher-quality food. Compared to American wagyu, Australian wagyu beef is typically leaner because the cows graze in an open field, rather than from feedlots.
From January 2024 to January 2025, Australian wagyu exports accounted for 48% of the U.S. wagyu market and 70% of the wagyu restaurant market.
The America’s National Cattlemen’s Beef Association has called on the U.S. to completely revamp its trade agreement with Australia.
“This is not how allies and trade partners should behave,” the lobby group wrote to a congressional subcommittee on trade this week. “If the Australians will not accept our beef products, then it is only fair that we reciprocate.”
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Auto imports will also be subject to 25% tariffs come Wednesday.
“This is going to be amazing,” Trump said Monday inside the Oval Office. “In a sense, it’s a rebirth of a country. … It’s the liberation of this country.”