Wyoming Senator John Barrasso is throwing his full support behind President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariff agenda, pointing to the longstanding and one-sided nature of U.S.-Australia trade when it comes to American beef.
In a forceful defense of the new tariffs, Barrasso called out Australia for blocking American ranchers from gaining access to their market while flooding the U.S. with billions in beef exports. “They’ve shipped $29 billion worth of beef into the United States,” Barrasso said. “And we haven’t been able to sell them one hamburger. Not one.”
The senator’s comments come as President Trump continues to push back against unfair trade deals and demand true reciprocity from allies and competitors alike. Under the administration’s new “Liberation Day” trade plan, tariffs have been rolled out across the board, including on countries like Australia that, while friendly, have long taken advantage of one-sided trade privileges.
Barrasso, whose home state of Wyoming is known for its cattle industry, made it clear that ranchers across the West are applauding Trump’s approach. “It is about time,” he said. “Our producers have played by the rules for decades while others put up barriers and dumped their goods in our market. The playing field has never been level—until now.”
The senator’s remarks also highlight a broader issue with how U.S. agricultural exports are treated overseas. American farmers and ranchers often face high tariffs, non-tariff barriers, and excessive regulations that make it nearly impossible to compete—while foreign producers enjoy open access to the U.S. market.
.@SenJohnBarrasso: “Congress has given the President more and more authority on tariffs… The cattle producers are saying it is about time… Australia has sold $29 billion worth of beef in the United States, and we haven’t been able to sell one hamburger in Australia because of… pic.twitter.com/Dn0SgQ6iqr
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 7, 2025
Trump’s tariffs aim to fix that imbalance, forcing countries to the negotiating table with the understanding that the days of exploiting American access without reciprocity are over. According to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, more than 50 nations have already sought talks with the administration since the tariffs went into effect.
While critics warn of rising prices or diplomatic friction, supporters like Barrasso see the tariffs as a necessary correction. “It’s not about isolationism—it’s about fairness,” he said. “And if we’re going to allow billions in imports, we should be allowed to sell our beef, our wheat, our goods abroad too.”
With trade tensions high and negotiations ongoing, Barrasso’s message to America’s trading partners was simple: If you want access to our markets, be prepared to open yours. And under Trump, that’s not a suggestion—it’s policy.