Dhaka, July 25 -- Australia is set to ease restrictions on U.S. beef imports in a move welcomed by U.S. President Donald Trump's administration as a significant trade breakthrough, despite concerns from critics over biosecurity risks.

Agriculture Minister Julie Collins on Thursday said the decision to relax curbs originally aimed at preventing the spread of mad cow disease (bovine spongiform encephalopathy or BSE) would not compromise Australia's biosecurity standards.

"Australia supports open and free trade. Our cattle industry has greatly benefited from it," Collins said in a statement.

President Trump celebrated the development on his social media platform, Truth Social, calling it "undeniable and irrefutable proof that U.S. beef is...