Interview with Patricia Karvelas, ABC News Afternoon Briefing

E&OE TRANSCRIPT
TV INTERVIEW
ABC NEWS, AFTERNOON BRIEFING
THURSDAY, 05 NOVEMBER 2026

SUBJECTS: Agricultural trade to China, US midterms

PATRICIA KARVELAS, HOST: Agriculture Minister Julie Collins is in China this week, meeting with officials to discuss Chinese tariffs on Australian beef. She joins me now from Shanghai. Minister, welcome to the programme.

JULIE COLLINS, MINISTER FOR AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FORESTRY: Good afternoon, Patricia and to your viewers today.

KARVELAS: Minister, you're in China. What is the purpose of this trip?

COLLINS: Well, I'm obviously over here talking about Australia and the China trade relationship. It's worth $20 billion when it comes to agricultural trade, as you indicated. Obviously, red meat is really important for Australia, but also is the grains industry, the wine industry, the seafood industry, a whole range of other industries here in terms of that great relationship that we do have. And obviously that is a really important relationship, and we know that the people-to-people contact is really important. I'm also officially opening the Australian Exhibition at China's International Importers Expo on Friday. That's tomorrow, so that will be great. That is one of the largest expos in terms of importers and trade on the planet. So, it's great to be able to open that tomorrow and to meet with both Chinese companies and Australian companies that are importing great Australian products here into China for that market here in China.

KARVELAS: You mentioned beef, for instance. Australian beef was actually hit by effectively 55 per cent China tariff as an import quota was reached. So, it was after we got to a certain level. That was several months ago. Is that what you're discussing with the Chinese about maybe shifting that?

COLLINS: Well, we've obviously, like other importing countries, have had to respond to the China based safeguards. So, this is a measure whereby the Chinese Government is protecting its domestic industry and is putting a quota on all of its red meat importers. So, we have obviously indicated to China that we're disappointed in relation to this. We understand what they're trying to do in terms of are rebuilding their own beef herd. But Australia has a lot to offer and, importantly, the Chinese consumer wants great Australian beef, and our product is in high demand here. So, we're certainly having those conversations over here. We're also obviously talking about grains. We do export a lot of barley and other grains here to China too. And the ability here for that to be value-added for the Chinese market is also really important.

KARVELAS. So, on the beef question, have you had any - made any progress on, on shifting this? You're right, it's not just us, but it has hit, of course, beef exports hard.

COLLINS: Well, we're having conversations about what this might look like going forward. It was for three years and talking to the government about what a great Australian product we have and how it's in high demand here in China. And we're having some quite friendly but very frank conversations in relation to the fact that it is Chinese consumers that want this great Australian product.

KARVELAS: Of course, the midterm elections have happened. We've got different Congress with Democrats in charge. Does that help you potentially with removing American tariffs, revisiting that issue as you work on, of course, general trade, but of course in your portfolio of agriculture?

COLLINS: Well, we've obviously, since we've come to government, really focused on restoring our international relations, as you're well aware. And we've also been really focused on diversifying our trade opportunities for Australian produce and for Australian farmers more broadly. And we've had now around 300 market access successes when it comes particularly to the U.S .and that relationship. It's a really important relationship for Australia. It is a significant trading partner. But we've also been really upfront that we didn't support the tariffs and that we have said that they're not an action of a friend. And Australia of course benefits enormously from being a two-way free trade country. And we believe that free and fair trade should be something that's promoted and it's certainly something that Australia benefits for from. We've got about 80 per cent of our value of agricultural products that's traded outside of Australia. So, we export a very significant amount of great Australian produce right across the globe. And we want to continue to do that, whether that be to the U.S., to China, or to other markets right across the globe.

KARVELAS: Now, with the change in their Congress to the U.S. look like a better friend, potentially, at least a little door potentially opening on trade.

COLLINS: Well, that's obviously a matter for the U.S. and its government. You know, democracy is a robust thing and it's good to see democracy in action wherever it is. What I would say is they continue to be our closest ally and a great friend of Australia. And the point is, is that we can have very frank conversations with them about how important our trade relationship is and how certainly it's a two-way trading system and they benefit and we benefit.

KARVELAS: And how important is the China trip bolstering trade? You said, in grains, dealing with the beef question in light of other closed doors, I mean, the world is a changed place when it comes to trade. We're seeing increasing protectionism from the U.S. but there is a, there has been a shift. Has that been the kind of spirit of your conversations in China?

COLLINS: Certainly, diversification of trade has been really important. We've seen it and how it's benefited Australian producers. We hit a record this year of $83 billion worth of agricultural products that have been exported. So, we know that Australian farmers do well when we have those great relationships overseas and we can export that great produce. So, we continue to have discussions about two-way fair trade. And certainly, you know, having a fair trade agreement, free trade agreement with China has benefited Australia. And we want to strengthen the relationship to make sure our exporters get the best opportunities.

KARVELAS: Minister, thank you so much for joining us.

COLLINS: Thanks very much, Patricia.