Trump admin. touts "major trade breakthrough" as Australia says it will ease U.S. beef import restrictions

Melbourne, Australia — Australia announced it will reduce restrictions on U.S. beef imports in a move President Trump's administration claimed as a major victory over "non-scientific trade barriers" to trade.

Agriculture Minister Julie Collins said Thursday that relaxing the restrictions designed to keep Australia free of mad cow disease, also known as bovine spongiform encephalopathy or BSE, would not compromise biosecurity.

"Australia stands for open and free trade — our cattle industry has significantly benefited from this," Collins said in a statement.