WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The government of the President of the USADonald Trump, is quadrupling the tariff quota for Argentine beef to 80,000 tons to reduce prices, a White House official said on Thursday (23), provoking fury from the country’s cattle farmers.
Increasing the tariff quota on Argentine beef to 80,000 metric tons will allow the country to ship more beef to the U.S. at a lower tax rate. U.S. beef prices have hit records due to tight cattle supplies and strong consumer demand.
On Wednesday (22), the US Department of Agriculture announced a plan to expand the national cattle herd and support American ranchers.
The Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke Rollinson Fox Business Network’s “Mornings with Maria,” said the government was working to support both carne bovinas well as livestock farmers.
But the increase in importss angered US ranchers, who supported Trump in most of his campaigns for president. They said the government should support U.S. producers and that rising imports threaten their livelihoods.
Farmers were also angered by a “swap“US$20 billion exchange made by Trump with the Argentinawhile they lost to the South American nation in sales of military for the China.
“An agreement of this magnitude with Argentina would harm the very basis of our livestock sector,” he said. Justin Tuppera South Dakota cattle producer and president of the U.S. Cattlemen’s Association.
Rollins told Fox Business: “There’s frustration on both sides. I was with the president yesterday and he’s very, very frustrated because (of) everything he’s done to cut taxes and reduce costs.”
Economists said the government’s approach probably wouldn’t do much to lower prices quickly.
U.S. livestock supplies have fallen to their lowest levels in decades after a drought burned pasture land used for grazing and increased feed costs, forcing ranchers to reduce their herds.
BEEF INTENDED FOR BURGERS
The U.S. imported about 33,000 metric tons of Argentine beef in 2024, representing 2% of total imports, according to government data.
These imports tend to be lean beef that is mixed with household supplies to make hamburger meat, and increasing the quota would probably not reduce the prices consumer, US analysts said.
Some of the beef could be served in restaurants or mixed with other food products, which could help operators of restaurants and food companies to improve its margins, analysts said.
Miguel Schiariti, president of CIRCLE (Argentine Chamber of Meat Industry), told Reuters that meat exports to USA they consist of the country’s traditional cuts of beef and meat used in the burger industry to reduce fat levels.
“It’s good news for the sector,” he said. Clear up. “Argentine beef is highly valued in the United States… Argentina is rebuilding its distribution chain in the United States.”
CONCERNED LEGISLATORS
Senate Majority Leader Republican John Thune of South Dakota told reporters Thursday that he was concerned about Senate politics. White House on Argentine beef and hopes to influence its implementation.
“We are aware of this and have been in contact with the White House, the Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Trade Representative on all of these issues, trying to figure out where they’re going,” Thune said.
Republican Representative Adrian Smith of Nebraska, a major oil-producing state, bedsaid in a statement on Wednesday (22) that he was also concerned about the imports.
“Policies and statements that unduly influence and harm the domestic livestock market threaten our domestic food security and are not helpful,” Smith said.
The White House spokeswoman, Anna Kelly, said Trump was committed to protecting ranchers and providing economic relief for ordinary Americans.
(With additional reporting by Maximilian Heath in Buenos Aires)
