By Roberto Samora and Kylie Madry

SAO PAULO (Reuters) -Higher U.S. tariffs on Brazil are expected to reshape global beef trade flows, sparking increased shipments to the U.S. from countries like Mexico and Australia while Brazil seeks alternative markets, analysts said on Wednesday.

Brazil is the world’s largest beef exporter, with China as its main trading partner. In August, Mexico overtook the U.S. to become its second-largest export destination for the commodity.

“It is very likely that countries that can triangulate Brazilian beef will increase their purchases following Mexico’s example,” Mauricio Nogueira, director of livestock consultancy Athenagro, said in an interview. “If Mexico starts sending beef to the U.S., it will have to buy from someone, it will have to buy from here.”

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