Lawmakers from both sides of the congressional aisle are raising concerns over President Donald Trump’s new plan to lower beef prices through increased imports.
Last week, the president proudly announced that up to 300,000 metric tons of imported ground beef will be sold at 25% below current market prices. President Trump said that, under President Joe Biden, beef prices skyrocketed and the American beef herd fell to its smallest level in decades, and this new deal will help reverse those trends.
“As we work to rebuild this herd and help our ranchers, for the next 90 days, the United States will allow up to 300,000 metric tons of product for ground beef to be imported with no out of quota tariff,” Trump said in a Truth Social post.
But members of Congress immediately expressed concerns over how this deal could negatively impact ranchers.
“This will hurt American cattle producers and feedlots,” Representative Henry Cuellar (D-TX) said on X. “Our producers need support to grow their herds and strengthen the beef industry.”
Rep. Cuellar said the Trump administration must reconsider this decision and instead “work with producers on long-term solutions.”
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) called this deal a “slap in the face” to American cattlemen and consumers.
“Worse than socialism!” Rep. Massie said on X. “Dumping foreign beef in U.S. markets can temporarily lower prices, but it won’t incentivize American farmers to raise more beef.
Rep. Julie Fedorchak (R-ND) shared similar concerns. She said that, even though all Americans want lower grocery prices amid the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, it cannot be done at the expense of ranchers and producers.
“Importing foreign beef tariff-free—and selling it below market price—undercuts producers who are investing millions of dollars in an already risky business to rebuild their herds,” Rep. Fedorchak said.
With the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other federal agencies continuing to announce foodborne illness outbreaks and recalls, Rep. Fedorchak also stressed that these foreign beef products must meet the same safety standards as American-raised beef.
“Short-term market intervention will not lower prices over the long term,” Rep. Fedorchak said. “The lasting solution is to strengthen American cattle production and address the problems in the packing industry that are driving up prices.”
