Aussies face ‘price meltdown’ within hours

On April 2, Donald Trump will celebrate “Liberation Day” — the moment he slaps 25 per cent tariffs on some of America’s biggest trading partners.

But here in Australia, that date could become the beginning of our meat price meltdown.

Mr Trump’s trade war is no sideshow.

The “Dirty 15” countries in his firing line — Japan, China, South Korea, Canada and Mexico among them — are America’s top beef buyers, importing nearly $8 billion worth of meat each year.

When tariffs hit, these countries will retaliate, American beef prices will soar, and they’ll come knocking on Australia’s door for supply.

Now, you might think increased demand for Aussie beef is good news.

But here’s the problem: we no longer control our abattoirs.

Over the past six months, multinational corporations have tightened their grip on processing facilities across Australia.

These abattoirs — once lifeline...
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