H.R. 2393 — Protect American Beef Act.

This section sets forth congressional findings on the Wagyu cattle industry, including (1) its Japanese origins and production in over 20 countries; (2) significant U.S. industry growth, supported by the American Wagyu Association with over 1,800 members; (3) U.S. status as the world's largest beef consumer, with 10% of production graded USDA Prime; (4) Australia's export quota of 63,000 metric tons of Wagyu within 680,000 metric tons of beef under the U.S.-Australia trade agreement, with no reciprocal U.S. exports permitted; (5) Australia's 35% currency discount advantage on Wagyu meat, semen, and embryos; (6) Australia's export of 63,000 metric tons of Wagyu (250,000 head) to the U.S. from January 2024 to January 2025, capturing 48% of the U.S. Wagyu market and 70% of the food service market; and (7) the need for a 70% U.S. tariff on Australian Wagyu meat, semen, and conventional embryos.

This section authorizes the President, upon determining that Australia imposes significantly higher duties or nontariff barriers on U.S. wagyu beef imports than the United States imposes on Australian wagyu beef imports, to either (1) negotiate an agreement with Australia to reduce or eliminate those duties or barriers or (2) impose a matching duty rate on Australian wagyu beef imports. In imposing duties, the President must consider factors including tariff classifications, duty rates, physical characteristics and end uses of the beef, export levels, and trade distortions; the United States Trade Representative (USTR), in consultation with other agencies, advises on the effective rate of Australia's nontariff barriers. The President may impose a lower duty if necessary, further increase duties if Australia raises its rates, and must terminate any increased duties once Australia removes the disparity or if continuation is not in the U.S. economic or public interest.