Canberra will continue pushing for zero tariffs on exports to the US after President Donald Trump lifted imposts on beef and other agricultural goods in a win for Australian farmers.
The Albanese government has taken credit for the move as it welcomed the US reversal as good news for Australian beef producers and exporters.
"We believe very firmly and will continue to advocate for us to have zero tariffs," Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told reporters in Melbourne on Sunday.
"Australia does not have tariffs on US goods or services."
The US president on Friday removed tariffs on more than 200 food products, including beef, amid consumer concerns about rising US grocery prices.
The US decision was a direct result of the strong advocacy of Trade Minister Don Farrell, other ministers and his own recent meetings with President Trump, Mr Albanese said.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the government maintained a clear and consistent position against tariffs.
"We believe in being able to access each other's markets. We think that's in the best interests of consumers as well as of producers," she told the ABC.
When asked if she expected US tariffs to be lifted on exports of aluminium and steel to the US, Senator Wong said Australia would keep advocating its net zero position.
Opposition shadow home affairs minister Jonno Duniam welcomed the US move, saying it was to be expected American consumers would push back in a range of areas where increased cost of living had bitten them.
"We don't welcome a government that tries to take credit for something like this happening," he told Sky News.
"I know representations had been made but this is based purely on American domestic politics and consumer pushback that shows that tariffs aren't always good."
Australian products already had the lowest tariff rate of any US trading partner but removing the baseline 10 per cent levy on beef will be a significant benefit to farmers.
Meat is Australia's second largest export to the US behind non-monetary gold, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
In 2024 Australia sent 394,000 tonnes of beef worth $4.16 billion to the states, Meat and Livestock Australia figures show.
The Albanese government in July wound back biosecurity restrictions on US beef imports.
The US had complained about non-tariff trade barriers, including longstanding restrictions on beef following a prior outbreak of mad cow disease.
