Trump announces temporary waiver on beef imports to lower consumer prices
The White House will allow up to 300,000 metric tons of ground beef to be imported for 90 days without triggering additional tariffs, a move aimed at reducing grocery costs but criticized by ranchers and some lawmakers.
President Donald Trump said his administration will temporarily permit up to 300,000 metric tons of ground beef to be imported into the United States for 90 days without activating the higher “out-of-quota” tariff. The measure is intended to lower retail beef prices ahead of the November midterm elections.
The plan, announced on Friday, includes a commitment that the imported beef will be sold at roughly 25% below current market rates, according to a statement posted by the president on social media. A White House official said the discount will be provided by foreign exporters under the agreement.
Sen. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) warned that “flooding the market with foreign beef hurts our livestock industry and undermines the long-term solution: growing the U.S. cattle herd to meet demand.” Sen. Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.) said the president’s “heart is in the right place” but cautioned that the imports could “harm our ranching families who feed the nation.”
Industry leaders also expressed concern. U.S. Cattlemen’s Association President Justin Tupper said, “You don’t put America first by putting U.S. cattle producers last,” adding that the move could weaken markets and raise food-safety questions. Colin Woodall, CEO of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, said the announcement sacrifices “long-term stability for short-term messaging.”
Experts noted the limited scale of the import. Kansas State University professor Glynn Tonsor estimated the volume represents about 3% of annual U.S. beef consumption, describing the magnitude as “pretty small.” Texas A&M University professor David Anderson questioned whether other countries could redirect that amount of beef to the U.S. within the short timeframe.
The White House official, who requested anonymity, clarified that the imports would consist of lean beef trimmings used for ground-beef production and that an executive order formalizing the directive is expected within two weeks. The administration previously sought to lower prices by increasing purchases of Argentine beef.
Critics argue the policy may further reduce the already low U.S. cattle inventory. Bill Bullard, CEO of R-CALF USA, said, “Imports have been a major contributor to the decline in the U.S. cattle inventory… Using more imports today will exacerbate that decline and will prevent herd expansion.”