“Australia plans to take US beef for the ‘first time,’ Trump said in a post on Truth Social on Thursday,” Reuters reports, “calling it a ‘very big market.’
Last night, in another Truth Social post, Trump said the US would “sell so much to Australia because this is undeniable and irrefutable Proof that US Beef is the Safest and Best in the entire World.”
“The other Countries that refuse our magnificent Beef are ON NOTICE,” the post continued.
Kanishka Singh and Peter Hobson, “Trump says US will sell ‘so much’ beef to Australia,” July 26, 2025.
Though Trump’s social media boasting has been shared fairly widely, things are not as they seem.
Australian officials say the relaxation of restrictions was not part of any trade negotiations but the result of a years-long assessment of US biosecurity practices.
On Wednesday, Australia’s agriculture ministry said US cattle traceability and control systems had improved enough that Australia could accept beef from cattle born in Canada or Mexico and slaughtered in the United States.
The decision has caused some concern in Australia, where biosecurity is seen as essential to prevent diseases and pests from ravaging the farm sector.
Ibid.
So while Trump seems to be talking trade policy and opposing Australian protectionism, if Australian officials are right (and why would they lie), a very different issue is at play here.
Could it be that Trump is again taking credit for something he has nothing to do with? Like his recent sugar cane Coke boasts?
The official federal government website sides with the president, naturally enough:
July 25, 2025
WASHINGTON – President Trump secured expanded access to Australia’s market for U.S. fresh and frozen beef, scoring a historic win for American ranchers. For over two decades, Australia imposed non-scientific barriers on U.S. beef, closing off a critical market. Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, Australia opened its market to U.S. beef, scoring a major win for U.S. ranchers.