NSW Farmers says Donald Trump's trade tariffs will hurt Aussie farmers and American consumers.
While the state's peak farming body was disappointed the Trump Administration imposed a 10 per cent tariff on Australian exports, NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin believed this latest trade challenge would be worked through and urged farmers to remain calm.
"Considering the deep history we have with the US and our mutual beneficial partnership, these tariffs are really disappointing to Australian farmers," Mr Martin said.
"There's no doubt our industry will feel the effects, some commodities more than others, but we have worked through trading issues before and we'll do it again."
According to the Red Meat Advisory Council (RMAC), Australian beef contributed to stable food supplies and prices in the United States, being consumed in more than six billion hamburgers every year. RMAC estimated the total impact to the American consumer as a result of tariffs on Australian red meat would be AU$600 million.
NSW Farmers continued to work closely with the Australian Government through the National Farmers' Federation and remained committed to advocating for free and open trade.
"A tit-for-tat approach with the US serves no purpose," Mr Martin said.
"The reality is Australian produce is in demand because of its high quality, with other major markets such China, Japan and Korea, worth $3.9 billion, $2.6 billion and $2.5 billion respectively, and there are great growth opportunities in the Middle East and North Africa.
"What these tariffs mean in the short term is that Australia invest in these new market opportunities while our farmers continue to do what they do best: Pull on their boots and grow healthy plants and animals."
