Protect American Beef Act.
Protect American Beef Act.
Plain Language Summary
# Protect American Beef Act Summary **What the bill would do:** This bill would give the President expanded power to negotiate trade deals specifically for Wagyu beef with Australia. If Australia charges higher tariffs (taxes) on American Wagyu beef than the U.S. charges on Australian Wagyu beef, the President could either negotiate to lower those Australian tariffs or impose additional tariffs on Australian Wagyu beef coming into the U.S. The President could remove these added tariffs if the situation improves or if it's no longer beneficial for America. **Who it affects:** This primarily affects U.S.
cattle ranchers and producers who raise Wagyu beef, as well as Australian producers and importers. Consumers may also be indirectly affected if tariffs influence beef prices. The bill gives significant negotiating power to the President in this specific trade area. **Current status:** The bill is currently in committee (HR 2393 in the 119th Congress), meaning it has been introduced but hasn't yet advanced to a full House vote. It was sponsored by Republican Representative Marlin Stutzman from Indiana.
CRS Official Summary
Protect American Beef Act This bill expands presidential trade authorities by allowing for a reciprocal trade agreement between the United States and Australia with respect to Wagyu beef.The bill allows the President, in certain circumstances, to (1) negotiate with Australia for tariff reductions on exported Wagyu beef, or (2) impose additional duties on imported Wagyu beef. Specifically, the President may take these actions if it is determined that Australia (1) when importing Wagyu beef from the United States, applies a higher rate of duty on Wagyu beef than the rate imposed by the United States when the Wagyu beef is imported from Australia; or (2) similarly imposes other, nontariff trade restrictions on that Wagyu beef.The President must terminate a rate of duty increase under this bill if Australia no longer applies such higher rates or nontariff trade restrictions, or if the higher rate is no longer in the interest of the United States.
Latest Action
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.