Four Weeks In: Assessing the Market Response to the Expanded Beef Tariff-Rate Quota

Four weeks after the September 1 launch of the United States’ temporary 300,000 metric ton (MT) beef tariff-rate quota expansion, market data have so far provided limited evidence of a broad consumer-price response associated with the additional tariff-free import volume.

Below, Expana examines the market’s reaction to date and highlights key watchpoints for the weeks ahead.

Wholesale and Producer Prices Move Modestly Lower

The US boxed beef cutout (Choice, 600/900 total carcass value) has traded in a narrow band since the September 1 effective date, moving from $3.70/lb to $3.66/lb as of September 25...

Zachary Nunn - Nunn Leads Bipartisan BEEF Act to Support Iowa Cattlemen, Lower Costs for Families

DES MOINES, IA - Representatives Zach Nunn (IA-03) and Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) introduced the Banning External Entry of Foreign Beef (BEEF) Act , bipartisan legislation aimed at rebuilding America's cattle herd, increasing domestic beef production, and lowering grocery costs for families. The bill would also reverse the recent expansion of foreign beef imports and require congressional approval before similar increases can take effect in the future.

"Lowering beef prices for Iowa families and supporting our cattle producers should go hand-in-hand," said Rep. Nunn...

Farmers Renew Call to End Increased Beef Imports

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall today called on President Trump to roll back plans to import an additional 300,000 metric tons of beef into the United States. An American Farm Bureau Federation analysis shows increasing imports has had little impact on ground beef prices at the grocery store. Meanwhile, cattle prices have weakened, with ranchers experiencing losses up to $300 to $400 per head.

“America’s farmers and ranchers are renewing their call to the president to reverse course on his plan to import foreign-raised beef. While we appreciate Mr. Trump’s goal of reducing grocery costs for America’s families, increasing beef imports has not brought prices down...

Duvall Comments on Meeting with President

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on his meeting with President Trump and the executive orders signed today [September 4, 2026], which address several issues impacting America’s ranchers.

“I had the important opportunity today to speak with President Trump after the Oval Office event to let him know that the plan to increase beef imports is hurting farm families. I shared with him that we have witnessed significant price drops for cattle across the country. It has caused a setback to rebuilding the U.S. herd. We’ll continue to urge the administration...

Trump Orders Rancher Support Measures, Including Food Processing Overhaul 

President Donald Trump on Friday signed an executive order aimed at supporting US ranchers, directing his administration to review federal regulations, expand producers' ability to process and sell their own products, consider changes to wolf protections, and examine mandatory country-of-origin labeling for beef.

Speaking in the Oval Office, Trump said the initiative would enable small and medium-sized businesses to sell directly to consumers rather than relying on middlemen.

Trump also said the administration would seek to streamline federal health and safety rules governing food processing and production. He described the effort as the largest government initiative to date to overhaul federal rules in support of ranchers...

Cramer Joins Colleagues in Emphasizing Policies Promoting Certainty for American Beef Producers

As the U.S. cattle industry experiences a 75-year low inventory and ranchers recuperate their losses after more than a decade of challenging conditions, U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and more than 50 lawmakers are asking President Donald Trump to implement true “America First” policies. They are calling on the administration to pursue policies driving long-term stability in the domestic cattle industry, including expanding overseas markets for American beef.

Like other agricultural commodities, cattle prices rise and fall with the market due to well-known economic principles of supply, demand, and substitution. However, some...

Congressman Davis Stands with North Carolina Cattle Producers Amid Move to Expand Beef Imports

Congressman Don Davis (NC-01), Ranking Member of the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development, spoke on the House floor in support of cattle producers in eastern North Carolina and across the country following the President’s August 26 proclamation waiving out-of-quota tariffs on up to 300,000 metric tons of imported lean beef trimmings. Congressman Davis warned that the added volume could pressure cattle prices and further strain American producers and family farms already facing rising costs and market...

Nebraska Farm Bureau - President’s Proclamation on Imported Beef

President Trump's proclamation issued last week, Further Ensuring Affordable Beef for the American Consumer, formalized his previous social media announcement of his intent to allow an additional 300,000 metric tons (mt) of imported beef into the U.S. with no out-of-quota tariff. According to the proclamation, the expanded quota: applies for 90 days beginning September 1; allows up to 100,000 mt of imported beef per month; applies only to lean beef trimmings; encourages imported beef trimmings to be sold at a 25% discount from the going market price; and does not...

AFBF, LMA, NCBA and USCA Urge President to Reverse Proposed Beef Import Plan

Four of the nation's leading livestock and agricultural organizations have joined together to urge President Trump to reverse a proposed 90-day import plan they believe would weaken the long-term stability of the U.S. cattle industry.

In a letter sent today, the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), Livestock Marketing Association (LMA), National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA), and United States Cattlemen's Association (USCA) called on the Administration to work with industry stakeholders on solutions that keep food affordable while protecting producers, consumers, and strengthening the nation's ability to produce its own food...

AFBF: A Blow to US Agriculture

American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall commented on the presidential proclamation issued today [August 26, 2027] by President Trump that allows beef imports to increase by 300,000 metric tons – more than 660 million pounds – over a 90-day period, undermining the U.S. cattle sector’s recovery.   

“One of the few bright spots for U.S. agriculture right now – the cattle sector – just became dimmer because of today’s presidential proclamation. The timing of this proclamation is a gut punch to ranchers’ bottom line. 

The claim of ensuring these added imports do not ‘disrupt the orderly marketing of commodities in the U.S.’ falls flat when ranchers are now selling their cattle into a market in sharp decline...

Further Ensuring Affordable Beef for the American Consumer

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Trump suggested last week that he would make...

USCA Urges Strong, Comprehensive Tariffs on Brazilian Beef at USTR Section 301 Hearing

United States Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) appeared today [July 6, 2026] before the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to testify in support of strong, comprehensive trade action against Brazilian beef under Section 301, following USTR’s determination that Brazil’s acts, policies, and practices are unreasonable and burden U.S. commerce.

Testifying on behalf of USCA, Director of Policy & Public Affairs Jenna Stanton called for additional tariffs on all Brazilian bovine products—including carcasses, cuts, trim, and edible offal—citing systemic illegal deforestation, coerced labor, and corruption in Brazil's...