NCBA Statement on White House Reciprocal Tariff Announcement

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane issued a statement after attending President Donald J. Trump’s reciprocal tariff announcement at the White House:

“For too long, America’s family farmers and ranchers have been mistreated by certain trading partners around the world. President Trump is taking action to address numerous trade barriers that prevent consumers overseas from enjoying high-quality, wholesome American beef. NCBA will continue engaging with the White House to ensure fair treatment for America’s cattle producers around the world and optimize opportunities for exports abroad.”

Background

Numerous countries impose tariff and non-tariff trade barriers on American beef that inhibit opportunities to export our high-quality product. For example,
 

• Australia has sold roughly $29 billion of beef to American consumers. Meanwhile, we have not been able to sell $1 of fresh U.S. beef in Australia due to non-scientific barriers.
• Vietnam places a 30% tariff on U.S. beef while Australian beef faces no such tariff.
• Thailand places a 50% tariff on U.S. beef.
• Brazil and Paraguay have a history of dangerous foot-and-mouth disease, but despite overwhelming evidence of their animal health risk, the Biden administration continued to allow U.S. market access to Brazil and Paraguay.
• The European Union places numerous non-scientific “Green Deal” restrictions on American beef, limiting market opportunities.