UNITED States president Donald Trump has signalled tariffs on all agricultural imports starting in April.

President Trump took to his private social media platform to encourage start making a lot of product to be sold domestically.

“To the great farmers of the United States: Get ready to start making a lot of agricultural product to be sold INSIDE of the United States. Tariffs will go on external product on April 2nd. Have fun!” he said on his private social media platform.

Details are extremely limited at this stage and it is unknown what it might mean for Australian beef that is heading into the US in record volumes.

The post has come after Trump confirmed that 25pc tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico will start tomorrow. He also announced additional tariffs on China, for which China has promised to retaliate.

According to US livestock analyst Len Steiner’s daily livestock report said futures were reacting to the “extreme uncertainty”.

“In 2024, U.S. beef exports to Mainland China accounted for 16pc of total beef shipment volume. Including Hong Kong, the total share was 19pc,” Mr Steiner said.

“Canada and Mexico will clearly have a bigger impact. Between cattle and beef imports from these two countries, tariffs have the potential to affect nearly 12pc of US beef consumption.”

His report said some more deadlines are coming.

“There is a federal notice requesting comments on unfair trade practices, with a deadline of March 11. Additionally, on January 20, President Trump sent a memo to various federal agencies, directing them to report back by April 1 on measures needed for a more balanced trade relationship with various countries,” Mr Steiner said.

“A new federal agency, the External Revenue Service, may be in the works to collect and manage taxes on imports.”

Australian industry keeping a watching brief

The possibility of a tariff on Australian agricultural products has been on the cards for some time, with Australian beef industry leaders forming a working group to keep a brief on the Trump administration’s moves.

Some have raised Australia’s trade surplus with the United States as a possible avenue to negotiate tariffs that might be imposed on Australia.

• Andrew Whitelaw from EP3 wrote this item today about the potential tariffs