China announced on Wednesday that it will impose additional tariffs of up to 55 per cent on beef imports from several countries including Brazil, Australia and the United States once shipments exceed specified quota limits, effective January 1.
The move comes amid a prolonged decline in domestic beef prices, which analysts attribute to oversupply and weakening demand as economic growth in the world’s second-largest economy slows. At the same time, beef imports into China have surged, making the country a crucial market for major exporters such as Brazil, Argentina and Australia.
According to a statement from China’s Ministry of Commerce, an investigation found that rising imports of beef, covering fresh, frozen, bone-in and boneless products—had caused material injury to the domestic beef industry.
The additional tariffs, described by the ministry as “safeguard measures,” will remain in place for three years, until December 31, 2028, and will be gradually eased over the period.
Under the scheme, exporting countries have been assigned annual import quotas. Shipments that exceed those limits will be subject to the extra 55 per cent levy, with the quotas expanding each year.
For 2026, Brazil has been allocated an import quota of 1.1 million tonnes, while Argentina’s cap is roughly half that amount. Australia faces a quota of about 200,000 tonnes, and the United States 164,000 tonnes.
The ministry also announced the partial suspension of provisions in its free trade agreement with Australia relating to beef imports.
“The implementation of safeguards on imported beef is intended to temporarily help the domestic industry overcome current difficulties, not to restrict normal beef trade,” a ministry spokesperson said in a separate statement.
AFP
