By Tom Polansek
Feb 6 (Reuters) – U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday signed a proclamation to hike the country’s low-tariff imports of Argentine beef, though economists have said the attempt to lower costs for American consumers will likely have little impact on prices.
A White House official said in October that Trump would make such a move, evoking fury from the nation’s cattle ranchers.
Trump has faced pressure to address the issue of affordability, which helped propel Democratic candidates to several electoral victories in 2025.
U.S. beef prices set record highs last year, benefiting ranchers who largely supported Trump, due to strong consumer demand and declining cattle supplies.
Ranchers slashed the herd to its lowest level in 75 years as of January 1 following a persistent drought that burned up pastures used for grazing and hiked feeding costs, according to U.S. data.
Trump’s decision to raise the tariff rate quota on Argentine beef by 80,000 metric tons will let Argentina ship more of its beef to the U.S. at a lower rate of duty. The increase will apply only to lean beef trimmings, which are blended with domestic supplies to make hamburger meat, according to the proclamation.
“Instead of imports that sideline American ranchers, we should be focused on solutions that cut red tape, lower production costs, and support growing our cattle herd,” said Republican U.S. Senator Deb Fischer of Nebraska, a major cattle-producing state.
Washington and Buenos Aires signed a broader new trade and investment agreement that will give preferential market access to U.S. goods in Argentina.
Economists have said increased U.S. imports of Argentine beef will likely be too small to significantly lower costs for grocery store shoppers, but the shipments could help improve margins for food companies.
The U.S. imported about 33,000 metric tons of Argentine beef in 2024, representing 2% of total imports, according to government data.
(Reporting by Tom Polansek, Ismail Shakil and Bhargav Acharya; Editing by Jasper Ward and Franklin Paul)
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