Trump considers Argentina beef imports to curb U.S. retail prices

President Donald Trump on Oct. 19 said his administration is considering importing a limited amount of beef from Argentina to bring down U.S. retail prices, remarks that have drawn sharp criticism from cattle producers, industry groups and some Republican lawmakers. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said beef is the only major price still high and that buying "some beef, I'm not talking about that much, from Argentina" would help U.S. consumers and a U.S. ally. He also reiterated on Truth Social that his tariff policies, including a 50 percent tariff on Brazilian beef, have aided domestic ranchers and urged them to lower prices.

Ranchers and trade organizations responded quickly and forcefully. The National Cattlemen's Beef Association said the proposal "only creates chaos at a critical time of the year for American cattle producers, while doing nothing to lower grocery store prices," in a statement from CEO Colin Woodall. State and regional groups, including the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, warned that increased imports could undercut efforts to rebuild a diminished U.S. herd and threatened producers' livelihoods. Senator Deb Fischer, a...