Senate Republicans from agriculture-heavy states are pushing back against President Donald Trump’s proposal to import beef from Argentina, warning that the move could hurt U.S. cattle producers.
Trump told reporters Sunday while returning from South Florida that his administration was considering the imports to help lower beef prices for consumers. But several GOP senators said the plan would undermine American ranchers already struggling with market pressures and high production costs.
Why It Matters
The president has been coming under fire for his bailout of Argentina, initiated during the federal government shutdown, from U.S. farmers and lawmakers. His plan to buy beef from the country to make the meat cheaper for American consumers has added to the tensions with a struggling industry struggling.
What To Know
North Dakota Senator John Hoeven said he discussed the issue with Trump, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade
Representative Jamieson Greer during a White House lunch with Senate Republicans on Tuesday.
“It’s very important that we support our cattle ranchers,” Hoeven said, adding that he expected the administration to provide more details soon.
Montana Senator Steve Daines said he also raised objections directly with Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins. “I’m more concerned about the Argentine beef coming in that’s undercutting our Made in America cattle,” Daines said.
In addition, Republican Senator Deb Fischer of Nebraska said she has “deep concerns” about Trump’s plan to import beef from Argentina to help curb prices, adding that cattle ranchers have had “the rug pulled out from under them” by his administration.
The price of beef, alongside other everyday essentials, has soared this year largely because screwworm outbreaks have weakened already diminished cattle herds.
According to the most recent data from the Department of Labor, the beef and veal index rose 13.9 percent in the 12 months to August, with uncooked beef steaks up 16.6 percent. Experts believe beef prices will remain elevated for the foreseeable future, given the lengthy process of replenishing herds and high tariffs on key exporting nations such as Brazil.
The concerns from lawmakers come after concerns were raised by the farming industry earlier in the week. Meriwether Farms, a beef producer based in Wyoming that said it supports and loves Trump, but described the plan as an “absolute betrayal to the American cattle rancher” in an X post on Monday.
The president has also sought to help Argentina out with a $40 billion bailout as the South American country’s economy struggles. Several, including those within his MAGA base, have questioned the move at a time when many Americans themselves are struggling to make ends meet.
What People Are Saying
U.S. President Donald Trump to reporters aboard Air Force One Sunday: “We would buy some beef from Argentina. If we do that, that will bring our beef prices down because our groceries are down, our energy prices are down. I think we’re going to have $2 gasoline pretty soon—we’re getting close—and everything’s down. The one thing that’s kept up is beef. And if we buy some beef—I’m not talking about that much—from Argentina, it would help Argentina, which we consider a very good country, a very good ally in a place.
“Although I must tell you, if you take a look now, South America is turning. Those South American countries are starting to turn very much toward us. They’re getting away from socialism, and you can go right down the pack. But they are starting to turn. It’s pretty amazing.”
Justin Tupper, president of the U.S. Cattlemen’s Association, in a press release: “When policymakers hint at intervention or suggest quick fixes, they can shake the market’s foundation and directly impact the livelihoods of ranchers who depend on stable, transparent pricing. Sudden price moves make it harder for independent producers to plan, invest, and keep their operations running.”
What’s Next
The Trump administration has not specified details on the agreement with Argentina just yet, with the president having to tread a fine line between balancing inflation and keeping U.S. industries afloat.
This article includes reporting by the Associated Press.
