Four western Sydney pubs have hit back at the tariffs imposed on Australian products, supporting farmers “the best way they know how” – by slashing the price of (T)Rump Steaks.
The American President last week announced widespread and widely criticised taxes on goods imported from countries around the world. He dubbed the policy ‘Liberation Day’, based on the notion that the USA was being freed from onerous trade arrangements with other nations.
Australia – a key defence partner to the US and major trading partner, with a history of unrestricted trade – was hit with a 10 per cent tariff, which is at the lower end of the scale. It was justified on the basis of a trade imbalance between Australia, with a population of nearly 27 million, and the US, with its population of 340 million people.
The US is Australia’s largest market for beef, in 2024 alone buying around 400,000 tonnes, valued at around US$3 billion.
Australia shuns American beef over biosecurity concerns. But Trump claims it is to protect Australian beef producers, and imposed the retaliatory tax on imports.
Australian beef meets demand for high quality grass-fed steak in the States, and is also widely used to produce mince for hamburgers; experts suggest the new tariff – which will be paid by American importers – is likely to cost consumers an additional US$180 million annually just in burger patties.
Feeling “a bit emotional” about the taxes, given the pressures already faced by farmers, including the recent floods in Queensland, hoteliers Clayton Ries and Brett Davis got together over a few beers.
They had noticed more people ordering cheaper menu items – “trading down” – and decided that they wanted to help both farmers and customers struggling with the cost of living.
Fighting back against tyrannical tariffs, the publicans have vowed to “make steak great again” by offering a 10 per cent discount to customers who order a (T)rump steak.
The meal can be accompanied by a $5 Esker beer or house wine, and the steak comes with a side of Elon Mustard.
The offer is on throughout April at The Australian Hotel Brewery in Rouse Hill, Crossroads Hotel in Casula, Guildford Hotel, and new-look Marrickville Tavern.
Marrickville also offers its legendary Beef and Pepper Pie – also at 10 per cent off.
“We love a good steak and we love our Aussie farmers even more,” says Ries, GM of the AHB.
“Trump’s tariffs may be tough, but we’re here to support our suppliers and give back to our customers.”
The team say the initiative comes because supporting Australian beef producers “is everyone’s beef”.
And they remark that if Trump himself were to stop in for an Aussie steak, they would charge him double.
Editor’s note: having imposed a 25 per cent tariff on all Chinese imports, prompting a 34 per cent tariff in return, Trump has consolidated a full-scale trade war by increasing the tax on all Chinese goods to a staggering 104 per cent. China’s inevitable response is pending.
