90 Days of Cheaper Beef Could Cost American Ranchers - Good Ranchers Response to Beef Import Plan

Following President Trump's announcement of a 90-day plan to allow up to 300,000 metric tons of ground beef into the U.S. tariff-free, Good Ranchers is raising concerns about what the plan could mean for American cattle producers.

The company agrees that American families need relief at the grocery store. But that relief shouldn't come at the expense of American ranchers.

Good Ranchers, a direct-to-consumer meat company committed to sourcing 100% American beef, understands the pressure consumers are feeling. Ground beef...

UFU - UK Farming Unions Demand Urgent Action Over Brazilian Meat Imports to Protect Public Health

UK farming unions demand urgent action over Brazilian meat imports to protect public health

The joint letter has been signed by NFU Scotland President Andrew Connon, NFU President Tom Bradshaw, Ulster Farmers' Union President John McLenaghan and NFU Cymru President Abi Reader.

The UK's four farming unions have joined forces calling for the UK Government to urgently prohibit imports of Brazilian meat and align with EU restrictions which come into force next week.

In a joint letter to Defra Secretary of State Dame Angela Eagle...

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...

Figures to Introduce Bill to Protect Alabama Cattle Farmers from President Trump’s Beef Order

Today, Congressman Shomari C. Figures (AL-02) announced that he plans to introduce legislation to reverse President Trump's plan to allow up to 300,000 metric tons of foreign ground beef to enter the United States tariff-free over the next 90 days-a move that gives little to no relief to consumers and serves as a significant disadvantage to American cattle farmers.

"President Trump's proclamation is a slap in the face to the hardworking cattle farmers we have across this nation and here in Alabama. Farmers are already being hammered by...

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...

Missouri Farm Bureau - MOFB Calls for Reversal of Increased Foreign Beef Imports

“Cattle producers are rightfully frustrated by today’s announcement that President Trump plans to increase foreign beef imports and sell that beef below the cost of production. Americans, including farm families, are paying more for fuel, electricity, housing and nearly everything else. We understand the desire to provide relief to American families facing high grocery costs, but additional market intervention in the cattle market is the wrong approach.

After years of drought, high input costs and a historically low cattle herd, producers are finally seeing strong cattle prices...

Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation - WFBF Statement on Beef Imports

"President Trump's announcement last week to import more beef products and sell them substantially below market value is deeply concerning. Wisconsin beef and dairy farmers deserve better but so does all U.S. consumers.

Agriculture is facing a downturn unlike anything seen in decades. Wisconsin's beef and dairy farmers are working hard to remain viable, provide high-quality food for consumers and support rural communities across our state.

Government intervention in markets rarely produces the desired long-term results. Price manipulation is un-American when it is done by the government, regardless of the intention behind it...

Governor Stitt Establishes Oklahoma Beef Industry Advisory Council, Defending Cattle Producers 

Governor Kevin Stitt today [August 25, 2026] signed an executive order creating the Oklahoma Beef Industry Advisory Council to prepare for President Donald Trump's announced executive order to increase imported beef that must be sold below U.S. market rates.

Chaired by Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur, the Council will meet and deliver public recommendations to protect and grow Oklahoma's beef industry following the federal government's announced plans to increase imported beef.

"If Washington wants lower prices for Americans, it should focus on free market solutions that remove barriers...

AFBF Analyzes Potential Beef Import Impacts: Urges President Trump to Reconsider

The President’s plan to facilitate record imports of beef will have a significant impact on farmers and ranchers who are rebuilding their herds devastated by drought. American Farm Bureau Federation economists analyzed the potential consequences of increased imports in the latest Farm Bureau Intel. Also today, Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall sent a letter to President Trump urging him to reconsider his plan to flood the market with foreign beef.

President Trump announced last week that he plans to import up to 300,000 metric tons of beef over a...

US Cattlemen’s Association Responds to Latest on Beef Prices

United States Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) is responding to President Trump’s latest social media post concerning upcoming trade actions to address US beef prices. According to the post, the Administration has decided to allow up to 300,000 metric tons of ground beef into the United States tariff–free over the next 90 days—a move USCA warns would sideline U.S. producers, threaten cattle prices, and risk undermining consumer confidence in the beef supply.

For decades, USCA has advocated for the federal government not to intervene in cattle markets, yet policy decisions have steadily moved in the opposite direction. From recent tariff exemptions for Brazil after violating deforestation standards, tariff exemptions for Argentina after violating forced labor standards...

R-CALF USA Responds to Reported Plan to Facilitate More Beef Imports by Relaxing Tariffs

President Donald Trump announced today [August 21, 2026] on Truth Social that he plans to allow up to 300,000 metric tons of beef intended for ground beef production to enter the United States without the out-of-quota tariff for 90 days. The president said the plan is intended to lower beef prices for consumers while providing time for the U.S. cattle herd to rebuild.

In response, R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard released the following statement:

“Increasing imports doubles down on a failed strategy that has substituted foreign beef for rebuilding domestic production...

Congressman Cleaver Calls on President Trump to Reconsider Importation of Foreign Beef Products

Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) urged the Trump Administration to reverse course on its plan to import 300,000 metric tons of foreign beef over the next 90 days. In a Truth Social post, the President indicated that these beef products will not be subject to out-of-quota tariffs and will allegedly be sold at 25% below current market prices. In a letter to President Trump, Congressman Cleaver acknowledged that Missourians are struggling with the rising cost of groceries, but emphasized that the importation of foreign beef fails to address the primary forces which have driven...

Increased Beef Imports Could Create Long-term Damage

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today [August 21, 2026] on President Trump’s plan to import an additional 300,000 metric tons of beef in addition to already record-high beef imports.

“Farmers and ranchers are extremely disappointed to learn that President Trump plans to flood the American market with hundreds of millions of pounds of foreign-raised beef. The U.S. is already importing beef at record levels. This decision would be an unprecedented move and would translate to nearly an additional 60% increase in imports over the next 90 days.

“For almost a year now, we’ve been advising the administration...

NCBA Statement on President Trump’s Truth Social Post

Today, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Chief Executive Officer Colin Woodall issued the following statement in response to President Trump’s post regarding beef imports:

“NCBA is disappointed by the President’s statement. While America’s cattle producers share the goal of keeping groceries affordable for consumers, flooding the market with government-subsidized, below-market beef is not the way to rebuild the American cattle herd. Cattle markets have already turned sharply lower this morning, to the detriment of farmers and ranchers. This is a critical time of year for cattle producers, as we approach...

ANALYSIS: China's July 2026 Meat Imports Recoil as Safeguard Walls Close In

China's total meat imports, including offal, reached 466,182 metric tons (MT) in July 2026, according to data from the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC).

This represents a 12.3% decline month-on-month (MOM) from the 531,834 MT recorded in June, and 12.6% lower year-on-year (YOY).

On a cumulative basis, year-to-date volumes through July reached 3,574,717 MT, 4.3% below the same period in 2025.

Weakness was broad-based across proteins.

Structural overproduction at domestic mega-farms continued to suppress...

Import Cargo’s Early Peak Season is Winding Down

This year’s peak shipping season is coming to an end, with import volume at the nation’s major container ports expected to remain high this month before starting to decline for the remainder of 2026, according to the Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.

“We had an early peak season this year as retailers brought in merchandise ahead of tariff changes in late July and responded to other uncertainties in the supply chain like the ongoing disruption brought by the conflict in Iran,” NRF Vice...

Bipartisan Bill Would Tighten US Sourcing Rules for School Meal Programs

A bipartisan bill introduced in the US Senate would tighten domestic sourcing requirements for federally funded school meal programs, a move supporters say would expand market opportunities for US farmers, ranchers and food manufacturers while reducing schools' reliance on imported food.

Introduced July 31 by Sens. Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.) and Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), the American Food for American Schools Act would require school food authorities to obtain a waiver from the US Department of Agriculture before purchasing most foreign food products. The legislation would also...

US Expands Forced-Labor Blacklist on China; Tomato and Salmon Producers Targeted

On July 31, the US Department of Homeland Security issued new barriers for trade with China by expanding the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) Entity List by adding 43 companies. The list expansion marks the largest single increase since the law took effect. So, starting August 3, trade will be blocked from certain Chinese companies making tomatoes, cotton, nuts, salmon, aluminum foil, battery materials, and pharmaceuticals. 

While the action is tariff-adjacent due to the forced labor aspect, this is more of a company and region-specific trade embargo...

US Cattlemen’s Association Responds to Phased Border Reopening Announcement

United States Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) is disappointed in USDA’s decision to move forward with reopening the southern border to Mexican cattle while so many unresolved risks remain for the U.S. herd. USCA underscores that border policy must be driven by science‑based risk assessment and on‑the‑ground capacity.

“Any effort to lower beef prices must not come at the expense of U.S. cattle herd health,” said USCA President Justin Tupper. “We’ve been encouraged to rebuild the domestic herd, that it is of utmost importance, and unnecessary exposure to animal...

Feeder Cattle Futures Drop as Border Reopening Shifts Supply Outlook

Cattle futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange came under heavy pressure early Monday after USDA announced it would begin reopening the US border to Mexican cattle imports, introducing the prospect of increased feeder cattle supplies after more than a year of import restrictions tied to New World screwworm.

The announcement overshadowed Friday's closely watched USDA reports, sending live and feeder cattle futures sharply lower at the opening bell and erasing the previous session's gains.

While the phased reopening is expected to gradually improve feeder cattle availability, the rollout is expected...

Import Cargo Expected to Set New Record Ahead of Potential August Tariffs

Import volume at the nation’s major container ports is forecast to hit a new all-time record this month, driven by retailers stocking up ahead of expected tariff increases, according to the Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.

“This year’s early peak season is expected to continue through July as retailers and other importers prepare for potentially higher tariffs beginning in August and other trade uncertainties,” NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold said, noting continued...

President Trump Takes Action to Lower Fertilizer Costs and Support American Farmers

Today [June 29, 2026], President Donald J. Trump signed a proclamation temporarily suspending countervailing duties (CVDs) on certain phosphate fertilizer imports, providing immediate relief to American farmers while advancing the Administration’s broader strategy to strengthen America’s fertilizer supply chain.

The temporary suspension will increase phosphate fertilizer availability, improve competition, and help lower one of agriculture’s largest production expenses while supporting a stable and reliable fertilizer supply ahead of future planting seasons.

Current USDA analysis indicates American farmers could save approximately $1.82 billion annually through lower phosphate fertilizer...

USTR Proposes Sweeping Tariffs on Global Food Suppliers Over Forced Labor

The US Trade Representative (USTR) announced late Tuesday that the Trump administration will impose additional tariffs on imports from 60 key US trading partners, citing failures to prohibit goods produced with forced labor that create an "unlevel playing field" for American agricultural and food producers.

USTR proposed 10-12.5% additional duties on products from major food suppliers, including Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, the European Union, Vietnam, Thailand, India, Australia, and China, following Section 301 investigations initiated in March 2026.

"The failure of our most important...

Imported Beef Trade Slows as Trump Admin Deliberates

The Trump administration’s mixed messaging on beef imports added fresh uncertainty to the imported beef market this month.

As of May 21, "President Donald Trump’s efforts to lower beef prices has divided top administration officials and some of his closest allies—prompting the White House to halt plans to temporarily reduce import tariffs, according to four people familiar with the talks," reported Politico.

Imported Beef Threatens Fragile Recovery for America’s Ranchers

President Trump is considering issuing an executive order that would allow more beef imports at lower tariff rates, but increasing imports could have long-term impacts and fails to address the underlying issues facing America’s ranchers. American Farm Bureau Federation economists analyzed the issue in the latest Market Intel.

“The United States cattle industry is navigating one of the tightest supply environments in decades,” the Market Intel states. “The domestic cattle herd remains near multi-decade lows following years of drought, elevated feed and operating costs, herd liquidation and ongoing disruptions tied...

R-CALF USA Statement on Suspension of Tariff Rate Quotas for Beef

The White House today [May 11, 2026] announced a 200-day suspension of certain tariff-rate quotas for beef, a move that is expected to increase imports of foreign beef into the United States at a time when the U.S. cattle herd has already declined to historically low levels.

Tariff-rate quotas are a means of limiting the quantity of foreign beef by establishing country-specific annual quantity limits and charging a higher tariff rate above those limits to discourage further imports. The purpose of the tariff rate quota system for beef is to sustain and protect domestic beef production from...

Brazil Reaches 50% of China Beef Safeguard Quota As Of May 9, 2026

Beef imported from Brazil under China’s safeguard framework reached 50% of the volume stipulated in Announcement No. 87 of 2025 as of May 9, according to a notice published on China International Trade Single Window, citing China’s General Administration of Customs. The update does not trigger an immediate tariff change, as the additional 55% tariff will only apply from the third day, inclusive, after imports reach 100% of the stipulated quantity.

The announcement confirmed the fast pace of Brazil’s quota usage this year. Based on Brazil’s 2026...

Australia Hits 50% of China's Beef Safeguard Quota in Just 12 Weeks 

Australian beef imports have reached 50% of their annual safeguard quota for 2026 as of March 26, according to the latest announcement from China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) late on Thursday.  

This year's trajectory is well ahead of 2025, hitting the halfway mark just 85 days into the calendar year. 

This rapid exhaustion of the Special Agricultural Safeguard (SSG) quota validates Expana’s latest report of an unprecedented "dash for the door" by exporters, driven by the need to land product before the hefty 55% levy effectively closes the...

Davids, Vasquez Urge Trump Administration to Reverse Plan to Increase Argentinian Beef Imports

Today, Representatives Sharice Davids (KS-03) and Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) called on the Trump Administration to reverse a new policy that would significantly increase imports of Argentinian beef, warning it would harm American ranchers and fail to lower costs for consumers. The administration received bipartisan backlash over its original beef trade deal last year.

“Your prior policies, including the original bailout and now this expansion of Argentinian beef imports, continue to undermine domestic producers and fail to lower grocery costs for Americans,” the lawmakers wrote...

ANALYSIS: China’s Jan-Feb 2026 Total Meat Imports Dip 1.2% YOY to 1.08M MT

China’s total meat imports (including offal meats) for the month of January to February 2026 eased 1.2% from a year ago totaling 1.08 million metric tons (MT), according to preliminary data from the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC).

Beef imports (including offals) totaled around 640,000 MT, rising a sharp 37.6% year on year (YOY) while other key animal proteins such as pork, mutton and lamb, and poultry fell.

In 2025, China’s total meat imports clocked in at 6.08 million MT, 8.7% lower YOY.

China’s...

Gov. Evers Sends Letter, Urging the President to Back Off Plans to Import Beef from Argentina

Gov. Tony Evers sent a letter urging President Donald Trump and the Trump Administration to back off its latest plans to import beef from Argentina and instead support and protect the livelihoods of American farmers, ranchers, and producers. This is the second letter Gov. Evers has sent, having previously sent a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins after the president first telegraphed his plan to import beef from Argentina last fall.

At the time, the president's plan drew strong opposition from several groups, including...

Governor Newsom Calls for Immediate Tariff Refund Checks Following Court Ruling Against Trump

Governor Gavin Newsom today called on the Trump Administration to immediately issue refund checks — with interest — to American families and businesses after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs were illegal.

“Time to pay the piper, Donald. These tariffs were nothing more than an illegal cash grab that drove up prices and hurt working families, so you could wreck longstanding alliances and extort them. Every dollar unlawfully taken must be refunded immediately — with interest. Cough up!”

Governor Gavin Newsom

The Court’s 6-3 decision confirmed what Governor Newsom argued from the beginning in California’s lawsuit: President Trump lacked...

USMEF Statement on US-Indonesia Agreement on Reciprocal Trade

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced on Feb. 19 an Agreement on Reciprocal Trade between the United States and Indonesia. As detailed here, the agreement includes tremendous market access gains for U.S. red meat.

U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) President and CEO Dan Halstrom issued this statement:

Indonesia has been a leading priority for the U.S. red meat industry throughout recent negotiations on reciprocal trade. Especially without access to China, the U.S. beef industry needs to be able to serve the Indonesian market, which...

Weekly Address: More Imports on the Way

One of the most common questions from journalists and reporters today is: Why are beef prices so high? President Trump provided his answer to this question in his Feb. 6, 2026, proclamation titled, “Ensuring Affordable Beef for the American Consumer.” The proclamation increases the in-quota quantity of lean beef trimmings that can be imported from Argentina by an additional 80,000 metric tons during the 2026 calendar year, which is in addition to the 20,000 metric ton annual in-quota quantity limit already applicable to Argentina.

The reasons cited by the president for his decision to increase Argentinian beef imports include the widespread drought that occurred in 2022, wildfires that have disrupted...

Import Cargo Volume Expected to See Year-Over-Year Drop During First Half of 2026

Import volume at the nation’s major container ports is expected to see a significant year-over-year decline during the first half of 2026 as the impact of tariffs continues, according to the Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.

“With tariffs still a matter of debate in the courts and in Congress, their effect on imports is being clearly seen,” NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold said. “The situation underscores the need...

A-EU FTA Negotiations Must Rectify Punitive Access

Australia’s red meat industry has issued its clearest message yet on the pending endgame of the Australia-European Union Free Trade Agreement (A-EU FTA) negotiations.

Improved market access is essential, and the FTA is the way to achieve it.

With the EU only allocating quota increases to its trading partners, rather than genuinely liberalising its import regime, Australian negotiators must remain firm.

Andrew McDonald, Chair of the Australia–EU Red Meat Market Access Taskforce, said Australia cannot afford to fall further behind other global suppliers...

R-CALF USA: Statement on Presidential Proclamation Increasing Imports of Argentinian Beef

Today, President Trump issued a proclamation entitled “Ensuring Affordable Beef for the American Consumer.” The proclamation increases the in-quota quantity of lean beef trimmings that can be imported from Argentina by an additional 80,000 metric tons during the 2026 calendar year, which is in addition to the 20,000-metric-ton annual in-quota quantity limit already applicable to Argentina.

The purpose of the proclamation is to increase the supply of imported lean beef trimmings from Argentina so American consumers would experience a decrease in the price of ground beef...

Op-Ed by Ambassador Jamieson Greer: The Year of the Tariff

WASHINGTON – United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer published an op-ed in The Financial Times explaining how President Trump’s trade program is accelerating America’s re-industrialization, incentivizing domestic production with improved market access for US exports.

The full text of the op-ed is below:

The year 2025 will be remembered as the year of the tariff, regardless of one’s economic ideology. International trade is neither good nor bad — it just is. The real question is whether trade patterns serve the national interest...

China to Impose Beef Safeguards: Details Due December 30

On December 30, China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) is expected to announce the final outcome of its global safeguards investigation into beef imports, with a likely implementation date of January 1, 2026, the Meat Industry Association (MIA) said in a circular. MIA, the industry association from New Zealand, has been monitoring the situation and sent out a press release to update market participants.

The measure would create country-specific tariff-rate quotas for major exporters to China allocated on a three-year reference period...

ANALYSIS: Korea’s Nov 2025 Beef Imports Mark a Third Monthly Drop as Safeguard Caps Tighten

Korea’s beef imports in November 2025 fell for the third consecutive month at 26,211 metric tons (mt), according to data from the Korea Customs Service.

Falling 15.6% month-on-month (MOM), the 4,857 mt drop followed the activation of Special Agricultural Safeguards on Australian beef on September 12 which curbed inflows. Compared with a year earlier, shipments were down 20.9% or 6,906 mt.

Until 31 December 2025, beef imports from Australia face an ad-valorem Most Favored Nations (MFN) rate of 24.0%...

ANALYSIS: China’s Nov 2025 Meat Imports Nosedive 20.2% MOM as Customs Scrutiny Intensifies

China’s November 2025 meat imports, variety meats included slumped a hefty 20.2% from a month before at 392,641 metric tons (mt), according to preliminary data from the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC).

Inbound tonnage plunged by nearly 100,000 mt for the second consecutive month as tightened customs inspection checks delayed operations, especially during what is normally the peak season for red meat consumption.

USTR Sets Phased Tariffs on Non-Compliant Imports from Nicaragua; Beef and Seafood Affected?

The office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) will impose phased tariffs on Nicaraguan goods that do not meet the standards for the Dominican Republic–Central America–United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR), following a Section 301 determination that Nicaragua’s acts and policies on labor rights, human rights, and the rule of law are unreasonable and burden or restrict US commerce, according to a press release...

China Pushes Back Beef Anti-Dumping Probe to January 26

China’s anti-dumping investigation into imported beef will be extended by another two months until January 26, 2026, according to the China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM). 

Initially scheduled to conclude in August 2025, the investigation timeline was first extended by three months to November 26 “due to the large workload and complex case,” the ministry stated on August 6. 

MOFCOM began the investigation on December 27, 2024, following a request from China’s Animal Agriculture Association and nine industry associations representing major beef-producing areas...

Container Trades Statistics is Tracking Towards a Record-Breaking Year

Revised figures for August 2025 now show global liftings at 16.8 million TEUs, marking the highest monthly volume ever recorded in the CTS database. This new record surpasses the 2nd previous high set in July 2025 by more than 220,000 TEUs.

As expected, September 2025 volumes eased month on month, falling 5.6% from August’s exceptional levels. Despite this decline, global volumes for September still reached a solid 15.86 million TEUs, representing a 5% increase compared with September 2024. This brings the third quarter of 2025 to a close with a...

FMI Praises President Trump’s Actions to Reduce Tariffs on Food Products

Today, FMI – The Food Industry Association resoundingly applauded President Trump for signing a presidential order that reduces tariffs on food and agricultural products not grown at all or in sufficient quantities in the United States to fully meet consumer demand. FMI President and CEO Leslie G. Sarasin offered the following statement.

“FMI is grateful and extremely pleased at President’s Trump’s actions to cut tariffs on a wide swathe of food and agriculture products. Today’s action should help consumers, whose morning cup of coffee will hopefully become more affordable, as well as U.S. manufacturers, which utilize many of these products in their supply chains and production lines.