Australian Lamb Industry Prepares Response to US Trade Investigation

Australia's sheep meat industry is preparing to defend its access to the United States market after American trade authorities launched an investigation into lamb imports that could result in new tariffs or quotas.

The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) has begun a global safeguard investigation into imported lamb following a request from the United States Trade Representative under Sections 201 and 202 of the US Trade Act.

The inquiry will assess whether imported lamb is causing serious injury to American producers and whether trade restrictions are warranted. The investigation applies to imports from all countries, not Australia alone, although Australia supplies the majority of imported lamb consumed in the US.

More than 100,000 tonnes of Australian sheep meat, valued at more than $1 billion, was exported to the United States in 2025.

Australian Meat Industry Council chief executive Tim Ryan said the industry was disappointed by the decision but remained confident it could demonstrate the importance of Australian lamb to the US market.

Australian Meat Industry Council chief executive Tim Ryan IMAGE: AMIC

He said Australian exporters had built strong relationships with American customers over many years, with imports helping to provide year-round supply in a market where domestic production could not meet consumer demand.

Mr Ryan said the industry would work closely with the Australian Government and supply chain partners to present a fact-based case throughout the investigation.

Sheep Producers Australia chief executive Bonnie Skinner said Australian producers were well placed to highlight the strength of the trading relationship, describing Australian lamb as a trusted, high-quality product for American consumers.

Sheep Producers Australia Chief Executive Bonnie Skinner says Australian producers are well placed to highlight their contributions to the US market. IMAGE: SPA

MLA's North America regional manager, Paul da Silva. IMAGE: MLA

Meat & Livestock Australia's North America regional manager, Paul da Silva, said decades of investment in promoting lamb in the US had helped grow the overall category, benefiting both Australian and American producers.

The National Farmers' Federation also backed the industry's response, with president Hamish McIntyre saying there was no immediate impact on Australian exports and stressing the importance of an open, predictable and evidence-based trading system.

The investigation follows a petition lodged by the American Sheep Industry Association last year, which argued rising imports had harmed domestic producers.

However, commodity analyst Matt Dalgleish, told the ABC US sheep production had been in long-term decline since the 1990s, well before recent growth in Australian exports. He said the US administration would need to weigh support for local producers against maintaining affordable lamb supplies for consumers.

The USITC is expected to gather evidence from interested parties before delivering its findings within 120 days. Industry bodies say they will continue working with government and exporters throughout the process.